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THE LEADING 

AFRO-AMERICANS 

of 

VICKSBURG, MISS. 

THEIR ENTERPRISES 
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS 
LODGES and. SOCIETIES 

Introductory by W. E. MOLLISOX. 



Mr « 

\i$ \it \ii 



1908 
BIOGRAPHIA PUBLISHING CO. 

VICKSHURG, MISS. 



fNOeCED 



F3f7 



' // 



FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS 



Edw. P. Jones. 
Thomas Dillon. 
W. E. Mollison. 
Rev. R. T. Middleton. 
Rev. Kelly Rucks. 
Rev. Jno. J. Morant. 
Sandy H. Highland. 
Rev. J. H. C. Henry. 
W. D. Hicks. 
Jerre M. Blowe. 
Mrs. Edw. P. Jones. 



Georgia A. Procter, M.D. 
Officers Union Savings Bank. 
Interior Lincoln Savings Bank. 
Mt. Heroden Baptist Church. 
Holly Grove Baptist Church. 
St. Mary's Church and School. 
Jackson Street Baptist Church. 
Bethel A. M. E. Church. 
King Solomon Baptist Church. 
Cherry Street School. 
Magnolia Avenue School. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



By W. E. Mollison. 

A CITY set upon a hill cau not be hid. Vioksbiirg has 
been in the front ranks of pnblicity for the past sixty 
years. It was the home of a race of statesmen before the 
war of the rebellion. It was the home town of Jefferson 
Davis, the President of the Southern Confederacy. It was 
the home of many of the reconstruction leaders. It was here 
that the first colored man attempted to manage a community. 
No reference need be had to the success or failure of those 
who took upon themselves this most serious task. But the 
Carters and Cardozas, and others whose names were house- 
hold words when the present generation of active people were 
in kilts and short skirts, have left conflicting memories. 

In the very earliest days this city attracted a number of 
brilliant and energetic colored people from abroad. Vicks- 
burg became the center from which radiated the spirit and 
intelligence which attempted the management of the common- 
wealth. 

It was inevitable that it should have afterward been the 
theater in which was played the tragedy of the second revo- 
lution. Its white people came from a race of men who had 
sent the Southrons to win glory at Beuua Vista, and after- 
wards at Gettysburg and in the Wilderness, and whose valor 
in defense of its rugged heights added a ucav and brilliant 
chapter to American arms. 

Colored i)eople are imitative of the best as well as the 
worst in their Avhite neighbors and compatriots, and they 
aspired to try their hands at taking part in the game of 
politics as they had seen the masters play it. 

But not in the jjolitical field has the colored citizen of 
Vicksburg been shown at his best. In the gentler walks of 
private and business life he has won for himself a name for 
integrit}' as well as ability. The first colored physician who 
ever practiced in tJie state made Vicksburg his home. A 
lawyer who had won honors in Queen's College, Oxford, John 
D. S. Ferrier, made great progress in his profession in this 
city, maintaining the dignity and grace which his training 
in England had impressed upon him. Dr. Coi-neil made a 



name as a general physician and surgeon, living for many 
years as a prominent and useful citizen. 

No mere sketch could give the names of men who have 
been jtrominent in the i)ul)lic affairs of the commonwealth. 

Dr. Thomas W. Stringer, who taught the colored people 
of Mississippi the great lesson that the man who did not pro- 
vide for those of his own household was worse than an in- 
fidel, and who left the Masonic Benefit Association as a mon- 
ument to his memory, lived and died on Cherry Street, loved 
and honored by thousands. 

Thomas W. Broad waters, a little less original but just as 
earnest and aggressive, brought Pythianism to a position of 
great prominence and usefulness. 

W. T. Jones, who founded the order just entering a career 
of usefulness in the fraternal field of insurance, lived to have 
a thousand nienibers march behind his Itier. regretting the 
loss of a man whose genius had made an institution whose 
benificence had made thousands happy. 

But yesterday's triumphs are no more brilliant than those 
of to-day. 

The colored man has no part in the management of local 
affairs. He has accei)ted the inevitable and pursues the path 
of simple industry and energetic effort to nmke homes and 
means of livelihood. 

He has done this well. He has maintained a number of 
fraternal insurance orders whose payments have ecpialled a 
king's ransom within the ])ast ten years. He has builded 
homes of beauty and filled them with books whose stories 
tell of ho])e and with articles of beauty which make for cul- 
ture and ])rogress. 

He has shown the world that in the higher branches he 
can hold his own. He has four ])hysicians whose works attest 
their worth. .V colored man is dentist; another is stenog- 
rjipher for one of the leading business houses and still another 
has for years occupied the })Osition of shipping clei-k in the 
largest wholesale house in the country; two others are more 
than shipping clerks for the biggest ship])ers in the country. 

\'icksl)Ui-g has s|)oken in jtraise of her colored lawyer, 
whose ollice ;ni(l e(|ni|tment. as well as the (piestions with 
which he deals, e(|n;ils those of any lawyer anywhere. He 
is known all over the st;ite as well as the country and his 
works speak for the man. 

Two banks with a i>aid in cajntal of some twenty thou- 
sand dollars and whose loans and discounts run close to the 
hundred tli(»nsand dollar mark, aic amonu the things which 



its colored oitizeDS have established aud are maintaiuiiig. 
It has no limit to the uuinber nor to the eloquence of its 
preachers. It has within it many denominations. It boasts 
of the close Presbyterian, the Episcopal, who is reputed to 
be as liberal to a fault, all branches and varieties of Meth- 
odists and Baptists of all shades of belief and performance. 

It has many beautiful and stately church edifices. To 
name them would too greatly })rolong this story. 

It has a Catholic as well as an Episcopal Parish school. 
Its public school system has the largest number of teachers of 
any city in the state. The course is the very best given to 
colored youths south of ^lemphis. The teachers are reputed 
to be among the best. 

The colored people are too young, as a race, to have 
made many scholars or artists, but we have some accom- 
plished and widely read men and women. We have some musi- 
cians of skill and ability and one musical organization of 
colored men have really at times made Yicksburg famous. We 
have colored men artisans and builders. They are workers 
in wood and iron, and in stone and brick and have maintained 
their place Avith the best of their white competitors. 

There is a good feeling between the two races. Among 
the best of each there is the closest bonds of sympathy and the 
widest charity and good will. This feeling is not lessening. 
There is no maudlin sentimentality between them, but each 
respects all that is best in the other. 

Such a people will make progress. The star of hope is 
in his sky. To-morrow will be better than to-day. 

Whether intended or not, this book will be an inspira- 
tion to the colored youths, a source of satisfaction to those 
who are still doing things and a solace to those whose memo- 
.ries will be enlivened by the reference to filings and men 
with which thev are familiar. 




EDW. P. JONHvS, D.I)., B.S. 

Grand Secretary Geo Wiklc, of Eiiglaiul. (to the riffht) lYeseiiting Fraternal Delegate 
Jones, of America, at Manchester. England, .Iiine 15, I'.KJT. 



LEADINCx AFRO-AMERICANS. 



EDW. P. JONES, B. S., D. D. 

THE subject of tliis sketch Avas boru on the 21st day of 
February, 1872, in the County of Hinds, State of Mis- 
sissijtpi. 

His father. Kev. (ieor^e 1'. Jones, was an ordained ekler 
of the Missionary liajitist Church. 

The mother of Edw. 1*. Jones died in 1878 wlien our sub- 
ject was only six years of age. 

Edw. P. Jones attended school at the Vicksburg Public 
Schools and at Alcorn College and Natchez College. He grad- 
uated at the early age of 16 and 20 from the Public Schools 
of Yicksburg and Natchez College, acting as valedictorian 
in each class. Immediately upon leaving school, he com- 
menced teaching at Rolling Fork, Miss., as the Principal of 
the City School and resigned to accept the i)rinci}talship of 
the Tunica High School. Here he was called and ordained to 
the ministry in June, 18S)-t, by the Tunica County Paptist 
Convention. He at once accepted the call to the First liaptist 
Clinch of Tunica, Miss., and at once proceeded to tear down 
the old structure and build a modern up-to-date church. He 
led the workmen in getting out the shingles for the roof and 
in sixty days after he had accepted the call, a beautiful struc- 
ture Avas erected to the untiring energy of his congregation. 
After serving here for a period of three years, he succeeded 
Dr. K. T. Hoffman as I'astor of the First Chui'ch of Green- 
ville, Miss., where he also remodeled the Mount Horeb Church. 
]\lanv were added to the church during his administration for 
four years and a half. During this period he also pastored 
the King Solomon P>aptist Church at Yicksburg and the Le- 
land P>ai)tist Church. He then accei)ted the call to the First 
Ba])tist Church at Greenwood and later came to the Blount 
Heroden Baptist Church, succeeding the late lamented Dr. A. 
A. Hamilton, and the First Baptist T'liurch at Port Gibson, 
Miss., succeeding the late Dr. R. J. Temple. He has built 
in Yicksburg a modern and u])-to-date structure at a cost 
of |;(j,()0().()0 and paid the entire indebtedness of |4,000.()() owed 
on the Church at I'ort Gibson for Ave years previous to his 



acceptance. ]Mucli conid be said of his own church work, but 
it has been in the line of fraternal work about which we 
shall now write. 

He was elected Grand Master of the Grand United Order 
of Odd Fellows in the year of 1900, defeating Dr. A. I). Snod- 
grass, who had been Deputy Grand Master for a number of 
years. At the time of his election he had been only a mem- 
ber for two years. He has been re-elected each successive term 
by acclamation except at the last meeting at Vicksburg. The 
opposition to Dr. Jones brought forward every possible means 
to defeat him at this session, but after his report he was re- 
elected by a vote of 287 to 48. He feels especially proud of 
this election, as he was in Europe as Fraternal Delegate of 
the entire Order in America during the thickest of the fray. 
He has served for four years upon the Sub-(,'ommittee of Man- 
agement and until his election as Grand Master of Missis- 
sippi, no interest was taken whatever in the National affairs 
of the Order. The first B. M. G. attended by Dr. Jones was at 
Louisville, Kentucky, in 1900, when he nominated the lamented 
General N. A. Anderson and he was elected by a handsome 
majority. He succeeded the lamented General Anderson at 
New Haven, Gonn., and was re-eleceted at T'olumbus, Ohio. 
He was a formidable candidate for Grand Master at Rich- 
mond, Va., and by agreemeunt withdrew and moved the elec- 
tion of the present Grand Master, Hon. W. L. Houston. Im- 
mediately Grand blaster Houston moved the election of Dr. 
Jones as Fraternal Delegate to England. He is now in his 
thirty-sixth year and is serving as ^^upreme Master of the 
United Reformers of America, Europe, Asia and Africa, hav- 
ing been elected for five successive terms. 

He credits whatever success he has attained to the devo- 
tion and wholesome advice given by his wife, to whom he was 
married November 19tli, 1890. They are blessed with thi-ee 
bovs, Eddie 1*., Jr., George 1*. an<l McKissack ^IcHenrv. 



Caesar !>. .Minor, Secretary and Law rjcik to ^V. K. ^lol- 
lison. has had a wider exjx'rience in the business world than 
nsnally falls to the lot of the avei-age young man of color. He 
was. iiji to I he lime of the cartlupiake in San Francisco, em- 
ployed in a |)osition of great trust and res]»onsibility in the 
largest clothing house on I he coast, lie is now a very rapid and 
expert ty|»e\\riter operatoi*. and his experience is making him 
an inxalnable assistant to the bnsy lawyei- for whom he is 
eiiii»ioye(l. lie ought 1o make his mark in the world. 

ID 



THOMAS DARDEN. 



Thomas Dardeu is a native of 
Meringo County, Ala., He came 
to Mississippi about twenty 
years ago and settled at Utica, 
where he remained five years. 
Leaving Utica he came to Vicks- 
burg, where he has since re- 
mained. His only school train- 
ing was secured at an early age 
in the Alabama public schools. 
He has pursued various voca- 
tions in the city, but the prin- 
cipal work which has brought 
him into prominence has been 
his work in the Christian Home 
Society, of which he is ])resi- 
dent. He is also prominently 
identified with the Mt. Olive 
Bai)tist Church, being one of the ofticers of the Church. The 
Christian Home Society, a benevolent institution which pays 
a sick benefit and buries its dead members, is a monument to 
the untiring energy of Mr. Harden. He has been a( the head 
of the society seven years and enjoys the respect and confidence 
of all his people. He is a member of the Executive Board of 
the General Missionary Baptist Educational Convention. He 
is a prominet Mason and I'ythian. 




One of the most prominent colored physicians in Vicks- 
burg is Dr. J. A. ^liller. He is a native of rortsmouth, Va., 
and received his early training in the Pourtsmouth public 
schools. He graduated from the preparatory department of 
Howard College, Washington. I). C, in 1892. Four years later 
he graduated fi-om Williams College, receiving the degree of 
B. A. He graduated in medicine from the T^niversity of 
Michigan in V.HH). He began the practice of medicine in Vicks- 
burg in 1900, and has built uj) an extensive practice. 



Rev. Kelly Rucks, j»astor of Holly (irove Baptist Church, 
spends every other month in St. Louis and has done so for twen- 
ty years. His St. Louis Church pays him a good salary and 
in addition pays his railroad fare to and from St. Louis. 

11 




THOMAS DILLON. 

MANAGER UNION (iKOCERY CO. 



THOMAS DILLON. 



AMONG the voung' business men of Vicksbui*j>, no one 
stands more prominently as a representative of the in- 
tegrity and business sagacity of his people than Thomas Dillon, 
Manager of the Union Grocery Company. Mr. Dillon is a 
native of Edwards, Miss., born Dec. 24, 1878. He has a 
sister older than himself and one younger brother. His early 
life was beset with many difficulties, and at an early age he 
determined to acquire an education. He ai)plied himself stu- 
diously in the public schools of the county for several years 
and when about 16 years of age, he saw it would be neces- 
sary for him to sever the home ties and get out into the 
world and fight the battle of life alone. Leaving Edwards, he 
engaged in various vocations and practiced strict economy 
until he was able to enter Tougaloo University, where he spent 
five years. Being full of determination and energy and be- 
lieving that there is always help for those who first show a 
disposition to help themselves, he had no trouble in arranging 
with the principal of the University to remain under its tu- 
torage until his education was perfected to such an extent 
that he could take care of himself in the commercial world. 
He was assigned to various duties around the college and in 
this manner tried to keep his accounts even with his Alma 
Mater, 

After leaving Tougaloo LTniversity, Mr. Dillon came to 
Vicksburg and secured employment in the Y. & M. V. shops, 
where he remained five years and was at all times considered 
one of their most valuable employees. In 19U4 Mr. Dillon 
saw what he thought and what has since proved a good oppor- 
tunity in a commercial field, and he founded the Union Grocery 
Company, the largest colored grocery concern in this section, 
interesting with him Messrs. Ed. Williams, W. M. Ware, Al- 
bert Judge and Frederic Sims. On April 15th, 1907, the com- 
pany sustained the loss of their business by fire, losing over 
|3,000, but, undauted, Mr. Dillon had the business going the 
very next day, and a short time afterwards a new building 
was erected and now marks the spot where the beginning was 
made. 

Mr. Dillon was married in 1002 to Miss Tarris S]»eed, a 
])rominet Vicksburg girl, who has proved a most capable and 
devoted helpmeet. 




W. E. MOLLISON. 



ATTOUNKY AND COUNSELLOR. 

I'KEsI1)1:nT LINCOLN SAVIN(;s BANK. 

sn-KKMH (.OVKKNOK COLOKED WOODMEN. 



W. E. MOLLISON. 



WE. MOLLISON, lawyer, banker, and publicist, was born 
in Issa<iiiena County at what is now Mayersville. He 
does not remember when he received the first part of his edu- 
cation. He could read at five and since that time has been 
a student. He attended the Blue Back Speller Schools in 
his native bailiwick and was, as he has been most of the 
time since, at the head of his classes. He went to Fisk Uni- 
versity in 1870 and although he had not much technical 
schooling", he entered the preparatory school and was {»repared 
to enter Oberlin College with the class of 1883. This, from 
common fractions on a plantation, showed some progress. 

He was married to a schoolmate in the Fisk University 
Chapel in 1880, and entered actively upon the battle of life. 
He studied law in the otfice of Judge Jeffords and was ad- 
mitted to the bar at his home town in May, 1881. His wife 
was his assistant in the passing of what was declared to be 
one of the best at the time. 

He Avas ai)pointed Superintendent of Public Education 
of Issaquena County by a Democratic Board of Education 
over a white Democrat. He served the two years in that place 
and in 1883 was elected Clerk of the Circuit and Chancery 
Courts of his county. He was re-elected in 1S87 without op- 
])Osition, polling within fifteen votes of the largest ever cast 
in the county. 

In 1892 he retired from the office and resumed the prac- 
tice of law. He was apjtointed District Attorney ])ro tem. 
in 181)3 by a Democratic Judge, a distinction which no other 
man of his race has ever enjoyed. He was by I*resident Mc- 
Kinley appointed Supervisor of the 12th Census, and with 
1(>5 enumerators under him in the most important district in 
the state, he discharged the duties of the office in a manner 
which won for him the encomiums of the people of the state. 

In the political world he has been prominent for years. 
He has been Chairman of the District Committee of his dis- 
trict, and Secretary of the State Committee. He represented 
the State in the National Republican Convention of 1892 at 
^Minneapolis and made a speech in that body nominating James 
Cr. Blaine which brought him to the attention of the country. 
He organized and ])ut in ojteration the first banking institu- 
tion organized and managed by colored men in the state and 
to-day Lincoln Savings 15a nk is one of the best known insti- 
tutions in the country. 

1.') 




REV. R. T. MIDDLETON, 

KKCTOK ST. MARY'S Kl'lSCOPAL CIIUKCII. 



REV. R. T. MIDDLETON. 



REV. R. T. MIDDLETON was boiu in Vicksburg, Miss., 
August lOtli, 1873. He attended the public schools of 
Vicksburg during his childhood. His college training was 
received at Fisk University. This was supplemented by some 
special studies at Howard University, Washington, I). C. He 
studied theology at King's Theological Hall at Howard Uni- 
versity, and was graduated from King Hall May 3()th, 1900. 
Mr. Middleton is truly one of the sons of the pro])liet, his father 
and grandfather having both been ministers. His father was 
the first colored man to be admitted to the ministry of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in .Mississippi. 

St. Mary's Church, Vicksburg, Miss., is his first and only 
charge. He has been there since the 10th of July, 1900. He 
is justly held in the highest esteem by the best people of both 
races. His life has approached the scriptural standard of the 
preacher's life, "whatsoever things are honest, and of whatso- 
ever things are of good report.'' He often tells his friends 
that he has always had a very high ideal of what the min- 
ister's life should be; that he has never realized those ideals, 
but he is striving to do so. 

Mr. Middleton has rounded out his life by taking to him- 
self a wife of the teniperament needed for the model minister's 
wife. His marriage to Miss Elizabeth Izod Roland was an 
event in the social life of the city of Natchez, the home of the 
bride. Bishop Bratton made the trip from his home in Jack- 
son to perform the ceremony. The life of this couple in the 
splendid parsonage of the Episcopal Church is a model of 
domestic simplicity and felicity. 

Mr. Middleton is the principal by virtue of his office of 
rector of Saint Mary's Academy. His splendid literary equip- 
ment amply fits him for the place. His friends predict for him 
a career of great usefulness and prominence. 



l*rominent among the colored })hysicians of N'icksburg, is 
Dr. J. H. Roby. He is a graduate of Meharry Medical College 
of Nashville, being a member of the class of l!»or». He secured 
a license to practice from the Mississi]>j)i State Board of 
Health the same year and located at Mound liayou, and after 
a residence of nine months lie came to Vicksbni-g, where he is 
building up a Incrative practice. 

2 17 




REV. KELLY RUCKvS. 



PASTOR IIOI.LY CKOVK I'.AITIJ^T CHL'KCH. 



REV. KELLY RUCKS. 



THE history of Rev. Kelly Rucks, pastor of Holly drove 
Baptist Church, if told in detail, would till a volume this 
size and would be one full of interest. Some great preacher 
has said that this life is full of "ups and downs," Avhere some 
have more "downs than ups." Rev. Rucks has had his "up 
and downs," and with a strong and abiding faith in the 
Master, and his motto, "Arise, therefore, and be doing, and 
the Lord be with you," he has kept in the straight and narrow 
path, and the Lord hath ])rosi)ered him. He was born near 
Vicksburg, March 1, 1S48, of slave parents, and was him- 
self a slave until Abraham Lincoln issued his ])roclamation. 
He never attended school a day in his life, and what little he 
first learned Avas gathered from the children of his inaster, 
whom he attended to and from school. However, he has ac- 
complished much along literary lines, and as a minister of 
the gospel, very few men can point to a more successful career. 
He was converted in 18(;S and began the study of the bible and 
the preaching of the word immediately afterwards, and since 
that time he has ministered to twelve churches, three of which 
he serves to-day. He has been the pastor of Holly Grove 
Church since 1874 and during the whole time there has never 
been a day of confusion or disharmony among his congrega- 
tion. He has served them faithfully and honestly, and they 
know it, and follow his ministrations with love and respect. 
In 1888 he was called to the pastorship of Pleasant Green 
Baptist Church, St. Louis, Mo. This call came to him abso- 
lutely unsolicited and was a great surprise. He had a short 
time before gone to that city to conduct the funeral obsecpiies 
of one of his former members in Vicksburg, and while in 
St. Louis he preached several sermons which brought him 
into great prominence and were the direct result of the call 
to the church. Rev. Rucks did not care to accept the call, 
but the St. Louis Church believed so firmly in his ability as 
a pastor, that they ofiered him special inducements, and be- 
sides paying him a liandsome salary, they jiaid his railroad 
fare to and from Vicksburg and St. Louis and have kept 
tliis up for twenty years. During his ministerial career he 
has ba])tized ]»robably over 2,000 converts. Rev. Rucks says: 
"1 blame it all on the Lord. He hath prospered me and all 
my days will I serve Him." 

10 



/ 




JNO. |. MORAXT. 

rASTOH lUiTIIKL A.M. K. ( IIlllClI. 



JNO. J. MORANT, D. D. 



WAS born near Selnia, Ala., Feb. 14tli, 1ST2. Was brought 
to Mississippi by parents in 1875. Had all the advant- 
ages of good pnblic schools dnring his boyhood days. Raised a 
j)oor farm boy and has never known what it is to be idle. He 
Avas converted in 1884 and joined the A. M. E. (Minrch. A few 
years after he was licensed to preach by the immortal Btringer. 
Was received into the ministry of the A. M. E. Church by 
Bishop R. R. Dinsey, at the session of the North Mississippi 
Annual Conference 18!)(). Served missions until 1805, when 
he received the scholarship of the North ;Mississii)]>i Confer- 
ence to Wilberforce University. He entered Will)erforce Uni- 
versity under unfavorable circumstances, but never thought of 
faltering, and was the life and lead of his class even to the 
day that he graduated. He graduated in the Class of '99 
with great honor and demonstration, with the degree of D.D. 
The degree of D.D. was conferred u]»on him by A>'ilberf()rce 
University in 19U(J at the Wilberforce '^Jubilee." He has been 
elected two consecutive times to the General Conference of 
the A. M. E. Church (1904 and 1908.) He has i)astored suc- 
cessfully from the smallest missions to the leading stations, 
and is now filling the responsible pastorate of Bethel A. M. 
E. Church and his success here has been phenomenal. Dr. 
Morant is a great student, a giant debator and is matchless in 
oratory Avhen fired to an effort. He is a fearless writer, a 
spokesman for his race in all public issues, and has often 
been weighed in the balances but never found wanting. 



The first commercial phonograph to be used in Vicksburg 
is in use in the law office of W. E. Mollison, whose immense 
correspondence has rendered the use of the machine a neces- 
sity. The busy attorney talks into the machine the letters and 
legal documents and his clerk conies in and listens to the 
message and transcribes it on the typewriter. The jdionograph 
is the latest turned out of the great Edison sho]). 



Tom Dillon represents the highest class of citizcMishij) among 
his j)eo])le. He stands well and has the respect of every- 
body, both white and colored, and strives to attain every 
ideal calculated to make him a man of worth and infiuence. 
He is a prominent Odd Fellow and Mason and a member of 
Bethel A. M. E. Church. 

21 



^'^ -A - ©■. 







vSANDY H. HIGHLAND. 



(iKANI) K. i: .^ S KXKniTsOF I'VTllIA^ 



SANDY H. HIGLHAND. 



SANDY H. HIGHLAXJ), the subject of tiiiy sketch, is a 
native of Issaquena County, State of Mississippi. His 
parents, James Hijililand and ^larv Higlihmd, wei-e slaves. His 
fatliei- was from Mai-vland and his motliei- was from Georgia. 
Though he was born of slave parents, they had some knowl- 
edge of books. He was taught his alphabet by his father, 
and when he entered school he got along pretty well. He 
finished up in the common schools of the county at an early 
age. At the age of fifteen years he passed a creditable ex- 
amination and was assigned as an assistant teacher in the 
same school he attended. From his salary as an assistant 
teacher he entered the Seminary at Natchez in 1883. Owing 
to the health of his father, he was called home in his Fresh- 
man year. He taught school in his native county for sev- 
eral years, during which time he took special courses under 
Hon. W. E. Mollison, then Superintendent of Public Educa- 
tion, and Prof. F. 1*. Brinson. 

He entered politics in Issaquena County in 1887. He was 
appointed County Commissioner of Elections for three suc- 
cessive terms. In 188!) he was elected County Assessor, under 
fusion agreement, and held this position until the dissolution 
in the fusion. 

In 1800, when the entire Mississippi Delta was overflowed, 
the Assistant Secretary of Wai' a]»])ointed him General ]\Ian- 
ager to supjjly six thousand flood sutt'erers. The people in 
his vicinity were loud in their applause in praising him for 
his eft'orts. In 1800 he joined the Order of Colored Knights 
of Pythias and was ai)pointed District Deputy Grand Chan- 
cellor. 

Two years later he was elected Grand Lecturer and served 
in that position two years, after which he was elected Grand 
Keejter of Records and Seal, the position he holds at })resent. 
He is highly esteemed by his associates in the fraternal circle, 
and his counsel is considered when any question of iiuportance 
f-onfronts the fraternal body. 

As a citizen of influence and worth he is esteemed by 
Ihe members of both races and is noted as a man of strict 
integrity and character. 

He was married in 1804 to INIiss Ida E. Tallry and their 
union lias been blessed with one l»oy and two girls. They 
own a nice and comfortable home on East Magnolia Street. 




J. H. C. HENRY. 

I'ASTOK KIN(i SOLOMON BAITIST C HLKCH. 



J. H. C. HENRY, D. D. 



REV. J. H. C. HENRY, pastor of Kin" Solomon Baptist 
Chiircli, is a native of Tensas I'arish, La., boni near 
Vidalia in ISOO. He was ordained in 1884 and began preach- 
ing in Adams Connt.v. ^liss. He was called to King i^olomon 
Church in 1!)(I0 and the church has made great headway for 
good under his administration. He began his study of the- 
ology in the McKinley Memorial University. In 190G the de- 
gree of D.I), was conferred upon him. 

He is the statistical secretary of the General Ba])tist Con- 
vention of ]Mississii»i>i and president of the Sunday School 
Convention of Mississippi. He is also a member of the Execu- 
tive Board of the Convention and a trustee of Natchez College. 



P. C. COPELAIN. 



IMiillip Charles Copelain is a na- 
tive of Vicksburg and has been 
]»r()niinently identified with his 
people for a number of years. He 
has engaged in several vocations, 
lint has made a success chiefly as 
a caterer and now conducts a cafe 
on Washington Street, where he 
does a nice business. He was 
n.arried to Miss Julia Huff, of 
l^randon. Miss., and they have two 
girls. Both are graduates of 
Straight University, and the eld- 
est is now a teacher in the Cherry 
Street Public School. 
Mr. Copelain was one of the founders of the Lincoln Sav- 
ings Bank, the first institution of the kind in Mississip])i, and 
is at ])resent the vice-jtresident of the institution. 

He is also prominent in fratei-nal circles, being a Mason, 
(Jdd Fellow, Pythian and Woodman. 

He is a large real estate holder and owns in addition 
a nice, comortably furnished home on Harris and Marshall 
Streets. 

2.') 





W. I). HICKS. 



sri'i:i;Mi-; gkand chancellor ijenevolkxt iNi)rsTKL\L assoiiation. 



W. D. HICKS. 



WD. HICKS was born in Brandon, a small town near 
• Jackson, in the State of Mississippi, on July 25tli, 1868, 
which i)Iace is remarkable for nothing moi-e tlian the desert- 
like api)earance of its soil and the general dilapidation of its 
farms and fences. He was educated at the (irammar School 
of Brandon and the Alcorn A. & M. College. At Alcorn Col- 
lege he was elected to a prominent position over the boai'ding 
department, which office he filled five years. He then launched 
out in the mercantile business by opening a store in the town 
of Hattiesburg, Miss., which he conducted for three years with 
success. Feeling that he could do better in another field, he 
engaged with an insurance company of New Orleans, La. In 
this work he made a wonderful success. The company was 
so impressed with his success and work that after the second 
year it raised his salary from |90.00 per month to |140.00 per 
month. In June, 1005, they disagreed on account of the 
company refusing to pay, as he thought, just claims, and as 
the company would not remedy the matter, he resigned and 
founded what is known as the Benevolent Industrial Associa- 
tion. 



BENEVOLENT INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION. 

THIvS Order was organized on the 5th of August, 1905. 
the Supreme Board Officers were as follows: W. I). 
Hicks, Supreme Grand Chancellor; \\. H. Jefferson, Vice-Chan- 
cellor; N. C Cannon, Supreme Treasurer, and J. M. Hicks as 
Supreme Secretary. Its ])rogress has been wonderful. De- 
cember 80th, 1807, the membershii* had .increased to 4,800 mem- 
bers. The General Fund was |480.00 and the Endowment 
Fund was .f 3,200. This Association i)ays all elaims ])romptly. 
The ritualistic work cannot be excelled. Its obligations are 
founded on Moses, Peter and Christ. There are seventy-ftve 
lodges in the State of Mississippi. There are four grades of 
policy, namely: |4,000.00, .f8,000.00, |1,200.00 and .f2,000.00. 
From each there is a benefit paid when sick and only one 
tax a year, which is to defray the ex]>ense of the Grand Lodge 
every August. The tax is known as the per capita tax and is 
25 cents. The sick claims, as well as the death claims, are all 
paid by the Supreme Board, which leaves the subordinate 
lodges no responsibility to speak of, or almost free from any 
payments. 

27 




JERE M. BLOWE 



WlUf IS (lie i-ec()«;iiized historiiui of tlu- Most ^^'()l•sllipflll 
Strinj>ei- (ii-and Lodj^e F. and A. M., Illustrious Coin- 
iiiaiider In Chief of the Key Stone Consistoi-y A. A. S. R., 
Ki^hl lOniinent (Jrand ( \»niniander of St. .John's (iiand (\)ni- 
niander.v. Knijihts Templar; member of Mecca Temple Ancient 
Arabic Order Nobles of Mystic Shrine. Worshipful Master of 
Strinj^er Lodj^e No. 1 F. and A. M., Past Pati-on of Rose of 
Shai'on (Miapter ( ). K. S., an Odd Fellow, a Knij;h( of Pythias, 
a Fnited Woodman, Fiiiled Kefoiiiier and an all 'rouinl good 
fellow. Ih' is a native of the city of Vicksburg, wh(»re he has 
s|»ent all of his <lays and is ]»rond of the <dd "Historic City'^ 
of which he never fails to boast. 



A. L. BROWN. 




Tlio subject of this sketch, Abra- 
ham Levi Brown, was born at 
Raymond, Miss., July 12, 18G3. 
At the age of three years his 
motlier, Mrs. Mima Smith, left 
Raymond and moved to Jackson, 
wliere slie lived one year. From 
there she came to Vicksburg, 
young Abraham being constantly 
with her. His tirst days in school 
were spent at Nitta Yuma, Miss., 
under a Northern teacher Leav- 
ing Nitta Yuma, young Brown 
came back to Vicksburg and at- 
tended the public schools under the tutorage of Mrs. A. A. 
Watkins. Young Brown in his early school days showed 
marked ability in gra])pling with the stern duties that con- 
fronted his youthful days. In the common school he was 
always at the head of his classes. Standing high in his schol- 
arship and deportment, he took easy rank as the first in his 
school. Having finished the prescribed course in the city 
schools, young Brown, without the aid of anyone on earth ex- 
cept a fond mother's prayers, went to Holly Springs, Miss., 
where four years consecutively he attended Rust University. 
With that indomitable spirit and "stick-to-it-iveness," he fin- 
ished his normal course, leaving with the honors of his class. 
After spending the vacation at home with his widowed motliei*, 
young Brown returned to Rust University, where he spent 
two years in the ('Ollege Department, after which time his 
means gave out and he had to leave college in his S()]>homore 
year to assume the duties of real life. His first occupation 
after leaving college was that of school teaching, holding at 
all times the highest license issued in his county. On the 
12th of December, 1885, young Brown was married to Miss 
Henrietta Vincent, with whom he lived hajtpily for a num- 
ber of years. As a result of this union six children were born, 
two of whom are now living, a son and a daughter. As si 
teacher the services of Mr. lirown are constantly sought by 
patrons, ])ui>ils and teachei-s. He, by hard and inccssjint study 
and strict a})]»]icati<)n, has added so much to his college ac- 
quirements that he is known to all races of his community 
only as Professor Brown, a title which lie more than deserves. 




JNO. A. WILLIAMS. 

John A. AVilliams is the eldest son 
of Robt. and Mattie Williams. He 
was born in Meridian, Miss., on 
the nth day of August, 1876. 
When one year of age his parents 
came to ^'i(•kshurg, where he has 
lived ever since. Mr. Williams' 
scholastic education consists of 
what he was able to acquire in 
live terms at the ])ub]ic school 
at Lane's Hill. Owing to an ac- 
cident to ^Ir. Williams' father, 
which incapacitated him for work. 
John A. was forced to give up 
school and provide for his parents. 
Mr. Williams served in various positions throughout the 
city, and finally engaged with the liiedenharn Candy Com- 
])any. with whom he remained about seven years. It was 
here that he learned the confectionery business and the art of 
making all kinds of candies. liCaving the Biedenharn Com- 
pany, Mr. Williams engaged with Mr. Kahn, baker and con- 
fectioner. Here he remained until Kahn retired and sold out 
to Dreyfuse, and he remained with Dreyfuse over a year. 
During his connection with the Biedenharn and Kahn and 
Dreyfuse establishments. ^Ir. Williams conceived the idea of 
going into the bakery and confection business on his own ac- 
count, and on Feln-nary ISth, 11)07. he V)ak(Ml his tirst ]>an of 
bread. His business has seen a substantial increase ever since 
and continm^s lo grow, his daily consum])tion of Hour being 
on(^ barrel. Ib^ manufactnres the Sweet Home brand of bread, 
and many customers declare that it is the best biand of bread 
in the city. 

.Mr. Wiliiaiiis was married March l*.~)th, 11)01. to Miss An- 
nie Ilitcli. who lias ])r()\('<l a most ]oval>lc liclpiiicet, and to 
whom a great deal of Mr. Williams' succi^ss is due. 

.Mr. Williams is an Odd Fellow and Woodman and also 
a member of .Mt. Ilei-odeii I'.ajttisl Chnrch. 



r.rooks' I»and and Orchestra, under the leadershi]) of Reu- 
ben 11. 1 '.rooks, is one of the best known musical organizations 
in the State. 

:?0 




H. L. SLAUGHTER. 

Voi'v few colored men oceupy more 
l)romiiieut places in the councils 
of their people than Henry L. 
Slan»>hter. He is a native of Car- 
thage, Miss., and first saw the 
light of day in 1S"")7. He came to 
N'icksburg- a few years after the 
war and commenced his career in 
this city driving a dairy wagon. 
Later he became bntler for Dr. 
Harper. In 1876 he nuirried Miss 
(ioodwin, and began farming. Xot 
finding the tilling of the soil as 
]>i'<)fitable as he had ho]>ed, he en- 
gaged with Fred Loyd, butcher, and learned that trade. Tir- 
ing of that trade, he began draying and after a few years of 
success in that field, he entered the mercantile field, in which 
he did well until the i)anic of 185)3 swooped down upon him, 
causing him a loss of about |3,50(). After paying his creditors, 
he retired from the mercantile field. 

He has held many places of trust for both white and black 
and has never proved recreant to any task. He has suc- 
cessively been elected president of one of the oldest fraternal 
organizations in the state for twenty years and is now presi- 
dent of the Supreme Lodge of the same organization — the 
(lolden Rule Society. For three years he was cashier of the 
Lincoln Savings Bank, the oldest colored bank in the state, 
having only recently resigned to embark in other business. 

He is the father of seven children, four of whom are living. 
No man, white or black, ever stood higher in the estimation 
of the people of his home than H. L. Slaughter. He has much 
influence among his people and is always advocating any meas- 
ure conducive to their good. 



Among the Avell-to-do citizens of Vicksburg none is more 
favorably known than ^Mr. Calvin Gibbs, who is the oldest 
hackman in point of service in the city. Mr. Gibbs conducts 
a line of public carriages, and is a general favorite with 
the traveling public. He owns valuable city ])ro}»erty and no 
man stands higher than he with the community in which he 
lives. 

31 



B. G. VERNON. 




The subject of this sketch was 
born in Noxubee County, Miss., 
January 1st, 1870. His i>ai'ents, 
Israel and Charlotte Vernon, were 
slaves. He entered the public 
schools of his county in obscure 
circumstances. In man^' respects 
he had to depend upon his little 
classmates to get books to study. 
He had heard his teachers say, 
where there was a will he would 
certainly lind a way. He took 
it for his motto, and in doing so 
he got along fairly well in school. 
Many times his lamp was the pine knots of Noxubee County, 
but he made the best of the situation. He moved to the 
Mississippi Delta, in Issaquena County, in 1886, and entered 
the pursuits of a farmer. While in this emi)loyment he con- 
tinued to rejid useful l)Ooks. He joined the A. M. E. Church 
in 1880 and has been a devoted member of that church ever 
since. He was elected for several terms as Secretary of the 
Quarterly Conference and at present is a member of the Trus- 
tee lUnnd of liethel A. M. E. Church of Vicksburg, one of 
the largest churches in the State. In 1808 he was appointed 
Su])reme Deputy of the K. of H. of the World by Col. G. F. 
Bowls and held that position until 1904, when he was elected 
Grand Dictator of the K. of H. of the World for the State 
of Mississij)pi. Tender his administration the Order has nour- 
ished as a green bay tree. Its cardinal ]>rinciples are now 
known over all parts of the commonwealth. In 11)01 the K. 
of H. Hank was organized and he was one of its directors. 
He is also a stockholder in the Cnion Savings Bank of Vicks- 
burg. In 1007 he founded tlu^ K. of H. of Amei-ica and under 
his leadership it will soon rank among the leading fraternal 
institutions of Mississi]»pi. 

lie is a young man and bids fair to become one of the 
urealest leaders in fraternal circles of the State. 



Sandy H. Highland owns a tine Delta jdantalion of one 
hundred acres in Issnipiena County. lie has also other realty 

holdings. 



A. J. BROWN. 




No man in Vicksburj^ can point 
to a more sncc-essfnl careev as a 
citizen and business man than A. 
.1. Jirown. As a business man his 
life is marked by acts of the strict- 
est integrity and as a citizen 
wlio lias at lieart the best inter- 
ests of his people, morally, social- 
ly and industriously, he stands 
without a ])eer. ^Mr. Brown is 
probably one of the most temper- 
ate men to be found amonj;' the 
members of his race — he neither 
drinks, chews or smokes, is pol- 
ished in manner and clean in 
thought and word and deed. He is a native of Livingston, 
Ala., and received his education at the Talladega Industrial 
College He never left his parenal roof until he had reached 
his majority. He came to Vicksburg in 188(jl practically pen- 
niless and found enqdoyment in the railroad shops of the Y. 
& M. V. Ky. He was live years with the railroad ](eo])le and 
resigned to go into the coal business, which enterprise he con- 
ducted for three years. Quitting the coal business, he took 
u]) the real estate business and it is in this particular line his 
greatest success has been made. During his seven years in 
this field he sold 851 homes to his people and accumulated 
five for himself. When he first engaged in the business about 
three hundred home owners were located on rented ground 
and ^Ir. lirown has brought the nundter down to about twenty- 
five. Two years ago he established the Brown Brick Manufact- 
uring Company, which venture has proved a success. He has 
l>lants at Vicksburg and Kosciusko, with a daily output of 
:{00,()(>(» and finds ready sale for more than both ])lants can 
turn out. ^Ir. P>rown is one of the most deserving race build- 
ers of the country. He is a christian gentleman of the highest 
type, a truthful and honest man and is universally resjxM-ted 
and esteemed. He is one of the niost prominent Odd Fellows 
in tlie State and is at present Grand Advocate of the order. 
He is Su])reme Lecturer and Organizer of Woodmen of the 
ITnion of Mississii)])i, Vice-rresident of the Christian Home, 
Secretary of the Educational Convention of Mississii)]»i. He 
is also a Pythian. 

3 * 33 



D. D. FOOTE. 




]). D. Foote, a native of Vicks- 
biii-g, was boi-n Oct. 20, 1879. His 
father and niotliei- were both Mis- 
sissippians. Tlie former was for 
a nmnber of years in the govern- 
ment postal service in tiiis city, 
serving as carrier, and was noted 
among the most prominent col- 
ored men in Vicksburg. Dr. 
Foote's early education was se- 
cured in the Vicksbnrg public 
schools. From Vicksburg he ma- 
triculated with Straight Univer- 
sity, New Orleans, La., and was 
in that institution four years, finishing in 1001 with high 
honors in a class of eighteen After finishing at Straight Uni- 
versity, young Foote returned to Vicksburg and entered the 
mercantile business, in which he remained two years. Tiring 
of a commercial life, young Foote decided to study dentistry, 
which had been his intention when he left school at New Or- 
leans. Accordingly he entered Howard University, AVashing- 
ton, I). (\, in 1!)(I8, and was awarded a diploma in 11)0(>. He 
returned home and applied for a temporary license to conduct 
his profession and after one year he applied for and was 
granted a permanent license. 

Dr. Foote is considered one of the best dentists in the 
city. His ofiice is sjilendidly and handsomely equipped and 
his work will compare favorably with that of any dentist in 
the State, white or black. 

He is a young man, attable and entertaining, and has 
many friends among the members of both races and enjoys 
their confidence, respect and esteem. 

He is a member of A. M. K. Church and also a ]>rominent 
Woodman. 

Dr. Foole's offices are located at KMi'/w North ^^'ashington 
Srteet, wiiere he will ]»e [(leased at all times to see his friends. 



Mr. W. E. Kelly is the owner of a splendid tract of real 
estate known as liryson Hill, on which he has erected a num- 
ber of cottages for rental purposes. He is a young man and 
an excellent citizen. 

34 



JESSE W. WILLIAMS. 




Jesse W. Williams was born in 
Jatkson, Miss., August 5tli, 1804. 
He received his eariy (raining in 
the public schools of that city. 
At the age of 1C> years he came to 
Vicksburg with a widowed moth- 
er, he being her only sup^tort. In 
1881 he was em])loyed as a waiter 
in the Pacific Hotel, which occu- 
pation he followed until 1884, 
when he accei)ted a position as 
cook at the United States Engi- 
neer's Office at Wilson Point, La. 
In 1888 ill health forced him to 
resign this service. After a stay of five months in the North- 
west in search of health, he returned to this city, his adopted 
home, quite restored. In 1889 he accepted the })Osition of ship- 
ping clerk of the L., N. O. &. T. railroad shops here. In 1890 
he was tendered the position of messenger in the United States 
Engineers Office under Major J. H. Willard, then in charge 
of said office. This position he accepted and has held ever 
since with credit to himself and to his race. In 1886 he ])ro- 
fessed religion and has ever since been a consistent christian. 
He is a member of King Solomon Missionary (.'liurch of this 
city, where he held many important positions, having held, 
among other offices of the Church, that of Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Building Committee. 

In 190.5 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Javes, 
one of the most estimable and cultured ladies of the city. He 
is a member of Prince Hall Lodge No. 26 F. and A. M., Z. R. 
A. Chapter Vicksburg Commandery No. 1 Knights Temjdar, 
^nd is a 32 degree mason. 

In young men like Williams, who enjoys the confidence 
and respect of both races, rests the future of the negro. Mr. 
Williams is modest, and unassuming, but in the van with 
those whose careers give promise of great and permanent suc- 
cess. 



Robt. Ellis has one of the largest meat markets in the 
•city and enjoys a large trade. 




ARCHIE WILLIAMS. 

The subject of this skett-h was 
born at Beechwood, live miles 
fioiii Vicksbiii'g, on the ith of 
May, 1S72. At abont the age of 
nine years he entered the public 
school of his native town, where 
he was a scholar for about four 
years. Leaving Beechwood at the 
age of seventeen, he came to Vicks- 
burg and attended the public 
school about one year. In 1S89 
Mr. Williams entered the large 
iiardware house of Lee Richardson 
(S: Co. in the capacity of stove in- 
spector. He remained with this firm as one of its most valu- 
able employes for a term of over eighteen years. This in it- 
self is one of the very best evidences of Mr. Williams' integrity 
and character. 

In 1895 he led to the altar Miss Mary Jane Mabre, of this 
city, who has proved a most devoted helpmeet and to whom 
he insists the credit for a great deal of his success is due. 
Their union has been blessed with two children, Roger Lee and 
Lucuis, aged 9 and 7 respectively. 

In 1!)0(» ^Ir. Williams engaged in business in a small way 
with Mrs. Williams looking after the store. He handled a 
small line of family groceries, charcoal and ice. This business 
continued to grow larger, and Mr. Williams decided to give 
uj) his position witli the Lee Richardson Conii)any and give it 
his entire attention. He now carries a complete line of family 
groceries and sujtplies and sells annually -ibout .')50 tons of ice. 
Mr. Williams owns a nice and cosy home at 722 E. Craw- 
ford Street. He is treasurer of .Jackson Street Bajttist Church, 
is K. of R. and S. Stringer Lodge 40:! K. of P., a member of the 
IJaidcing Committee Pedestal Brotherhood Lodge, Odd Fellows, 
1S44, and is President of (Jood Samaritan Lodge No. 1, a re- 
ligious oi-der. 



Thoiiiiis y. .McAllister, collector of jjublic moneys at .lack- 
son, is a citi/eii of \'icksburg and owns a handsome home on 
Main Street. 

36 



W. H. JEFFERSON. 




^VilIia^l Henry Jeffei-son was born 
at Clinton, Hinds County, Julv 
2:?, 1867, the second son of Wil- 
liam and Charlotte Jefferson. 
When he was about six years of 
age his parents moved to Vicks- 
burg. He received his education 
in the Vicksburg public schools. 
After leaving school Jefferson fol- 
lowed various avocations, among 
tliein a service of six years in the 
Pullman service. In 1904: he es- 
tablished the W. H. Jefferson Un- 
dertaking Company, of which he 
is (he sole proprietor, and. for the jjast fourteen years he has 
conducted successfully the business. On the Ttli day of De- 
cember, 1885, he received from the Kenouard Training fc^chool 
for Embalmers, of New York, a diploma licensing him to prac- 
tice the art of embalming in connection with the undertaking 
business, and he is now the only colored end)almer in the 
State and owns the largest, ttnest and most complete undertak- 
ing establishment in the South. He carries in stock a full 
supply of metallic cases and caskets of every description. 
Burial robes of all styles for ladies, gentlemen and children. 
He also furnishes first-class carriages for funeral and wedding 
parties. 

Mr Jefferson is a member of twenty-nine societies, figuring 
lu'ominently in the ^Masons, Odd Fellows, Pythians and others. 
He is considered one of Vicksburg's leading colored citi- 
zens, numbering his friends by the hundreds among the mem- 
bers of both races, and enjoys the confidence, res])ect and es- 
teem of his large circle of acquaintances. 



Spencer Craves is a first-class car])enter and builder, and 
bears the distinction of being the oldest negro Mason in the 
state. Mr. (iraves owns nice property in the city. 



(^a]>t. January is one of the best colored butchers in Vicks- 
burg. He has been here for a number of years and is well 
known and liked bv all. 



CHAS. H. SPATES. 




Standi ng prominently among the 
young business men of Vicksburg 
is ('has. H. Spates, [u-oprietor and 
managei- of the Delta Tailoring- 
Company. "Sir. Si)ates is a na- 
tive of North Carolina, being l)orn 
at Kingston, on August 2!), ISSl, 
He began tlie foundation of his 
education in the public schools 
of his native town and Avhen nine 
years of age his parents moved to 
Water})roof, I^a., where young 
Spates again attended the public 
schools for six years. Leaving 
Waterproof, the family moved to Mounds, La. At that place 
young Sj»ates finished his education and taught in the ]»ublic 
schools for two years. This showed that young Spates had 
been ambitious and studious and was determined to have an 
education. In 1903 he came to Vicksburg and went into the 
service of the People's Tailoring Comjuiny, where he sj)ent 
three years and gained a practical and technical knowledge 
of the tailoring business in all its branches. He withdrew 
from the above concern in 1!)0() and established the Delta 
Tailoring Comjiany, and has built uj) one of the best taihu-- 
ing establishments in the city. On July 4, IIXKI, Mr. Spates 
led to the altar. Miss Agnes Connor, and to her he attributes 
a large share of his sj)]endid success. 

Mr. Sjtates is a i)rominent K. of 1'. and Odd Fellow and 
also a mend)er of the Jackson Street I>a]»tist Church. He 
is full (if energy, has a large circle of friends among both 
races aii<l enjoys the confidence, esteem and respect of all. 



•las. W. Collins is the ]»ioneer negro letter carrier, and an 
excellent citizen. Mi-. Collins is the owner of a handsome 
residence, nicely located, and stands well in church antl state 
allairs. 



All the well dressed negroes of A'icksburg buy their 
clothes from Ciiarlie Spates, of the Delta Tailoring Company, 
o|(]M»site tlie Piazza Hotel. 

3S 



W. J. PEMBERTON. 




W. J. Pembertoii is another one 
of the stanncli business men of 
Yieksburg. having be,i»nn five years 
ago Avitli a capital of less than 
•flO. and a magniticent grocery 
business and a nice home is the 
best evidence that his commercial 
career has been a success. He 
carries a stock aggregating over 
$1,500. and keeps two delivery 
wagons busy delivering things 
good to eat to his many satisfied 
customers. ^Ir. l*emberton is a 
native of Vicksburg. His educa- 
tion was secured in the Vicksburg public schools. He is a 
man that always stood well among the people of both races. 
He is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow and a deacon in 
King Solomon's Baptist (Miurch. 

He Avas married in 1883 to Miss Annie Johnson, of this 
city, who has been very instrumental in his success. They 
have three sons and one daughter. Two of the l)oys assist 
in the store. It is such men as Mr. Pemberton who have set 
a higher standard of citizenship among his people, and he 
is an advocate of any measure which tends to lead his people 
up to a higher standard of living. He was born shortly after 
the war and during his early life there was not the same op- 
portunities atforded at that time as at the present day and 
his success is all the more deserved. 

He has endeavored to give his children a ]U'actical edu- 
cation and fit them for the various duties of life. 



Jerry Lawson is a true type of the "horny-handed sons of 
toil." He is a well-known licensed drayman and can handle 
more cotton than two ordinary draymen. He owns several 
nice teams and a beautiful home. He is a ])roniinent Mason 
and his ])resence is absolutely necessary when there is any 
Masonic work to be done. 



Cox & Harris, colorc^l barbers, have one of the best (Mpiip- 
]>ed barber shops in tlie city and enjoy a large white trade. 

:i9 



B. W. CURRIE. 




1>. W. Cnrrie was l)orn at Warren- 
ton, Mi.ss., in the rear of 1870, and 
received his education in the 
schools of his native village and 
liie schools of Vicksburg. At the 
age of eighteen he passed a very 
creditable examination and was 
assigned to teach the school at 
which he was a pupil only a few 
years i)revious As a teacher he 
at once took high rank, especially 
distinguishing himself in mathe- 
matics. He gave up teaching to 
enter the government service as 
letter carrier, Avhich place he now fills acceptably to all par- 
ties concerned, having been advanced yearly, as a compliment 
to his fidelity and efficiency. By special ])ermission from the 
Postofiice Department, at Washington, he was designated by 
Col. Mollison as enumerator of the Tweflth Census. This po- 
sition he tilled without one word of complaint, notwithstand- 
ing his duties carried him in the homes of three thousand 
people, both white and colored. He is secretary of the local 
branch of Letter Carrier's Association, and has been re-elected 
five successive terms without opposition. Was a delegate to 
the sixteenth convention of National Letter Carriers, at Can- 
ton, (Jhio, Sept. 11)07, and in that body was elected National 
State Vice-President, a ])osition never before filled by a col- 
ored man. He is one of the founders of the Lincoln Savings 
Bank, the oldest institution of its kind in the State, a director, 
and s(M-relary of its Executive Committee. He is also ]»roni- 
inent in the fraternal world, being a .Mason, a Past .Master. 
IMastei- of lOxchecpier of his K. of I'. Lodge and Sujtreme 
IMaster of Hecords of the Master Buihleis. 



Walter 15. -loiies is one of the successful young negi-(H'S 
of A'icksburg. He has the reputation of being one of the 
best bi-icklayers in Vicksbui-g. Steady and reliable, Mr. .Jones 
is a menibei- of several fraternal oi-ders, a christian and a 
gentleman, lie owns a magnificent residence on a |to|>ular 
sti-ecl and other real estate. He is a director in the Lincoln 
Sasings r>anU and proniincnl in church and oilier s(»cieties. 

•10 



EDWARD P. EASTMAN. 




Edward Paul Eastman, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in 
the t^tate of Mississipi)i near Hard 
Times Lauding, September Otli, 
1872. At an early age he was 
brought to Vicksburg and left to 
the care of his grandmother, Ma- 
tilda Boyd. He attended the city 
schools until the failing health of 
his foster parents compelled him 
to quit school and go to work. 
At an early age he was appren- 
ticed to one of the leading 
}»lund»ers of that day. Where he 
learned his trade he has worked continuously at the one ])lace 
for twenty years and has the confidence of his emph^yer. 

He lays no claim to haying accomplished anything great. 
He is a "plain blunt man ;'' attends strictly to his own affairs, 
trying to make the most of life and live as useful a life as 
possible, "for he shall not pass this w^ay again." 

He is secretary for the Jackson Street M. B. Church, su- 
perintendent of the Sunday School and a leader in most 
things for the benefit of the Church. 

He is a home-loying man, enjoying the companionship of 
his wife and the loye of his only daughter. 

He is a member of several societies, holding positions of 
trust and honor, but his main object is to serve his God, serve 
liis familv and serve his fellow-man. 



Joseph C. Jennings unfortunately is not a native Mis- 
sissippian, he having been reared in New Orleans, La., and 
moved to Vicksburg about eight years ago. During his stay 
liere in the state of his adoption, he has contracted for and 
successfully completed the plastering of some of the largest 
buildings in the city and state. His work on the Craig man- 
sion, the Y. & M. V. passenger station, the First Presbyterian 
Church and hundreds of other jobs stands as a lasting monu- 
ment to a young negro contractor. Mr. Jennings is a young 
man and employs regularly a force of a dozen or more work- 
men. 

41 




W. H. SPRIGGS. 

^^'illialll Heudei'Hon Spriggs is a 
native of Warren County, Miss. 
His ])oyliood days were spent on 
the farm and liis education ac- 
(piired in tlie pnblic schools of 
the county. For several years 
prior to 1890, Mr. Spriggs con- 
ducted a mercantile business in 
New Orleans, La., beginning with 
a capital of about .|;4,(»(K). In 1S9G 
he disposed of his New Orleans 
business and returned to Vicks- 
burg, entering into mercantile pur- 
suits, in which he remained two 
years, quitting that to take up the 
interests of the Knights of Canaan. It is in the interest of 
this order that he has made most marked success. When he 
took up the work the order liad very few members and was 
far from being on a substantial basis. Its first system of 
insurance was a kind of weekly benefit. Dues were collected 
by a collector whose duty it was to call from house to house, 
collecting from each member at their home. This was the 
first position in the order which fell to Mr. S])riggs. Several 
months afterward Mr. Sjtriggs accpiired the interests of the 
then president, and a Supreme Lodge was organized and laws 
adojjted for its further government. Mr. Spriggs then took 
the field in the interest of the order and traveled over ]\Iissis- 
sii)pi and Jjouisiana for four years. His was an up hill strug- 
gle for a long time. Many ditticulties were encountered and 
broken down and Mr. Spriggs to-day bears the title of a 
*'record-breaker" in fraternal work. He was and is devoted to 
the oi-der and sj)ent his money and his time freely in the effort 
to make it the most popular order in the Stale. 



William II. Jones is a rising young man of sjilendid at- 
tainments. A colh'ge man, a Fi-ee .Mason and a consistent fol- 
lower of "(he man of .'!.'>." Mr. -Jones is a decorator and 
])ainter. He owns a nice home in the residential i>or(ion of 
^'icksbnrl• and is making a name in his held of work. 



Vou should join the Knights of Canaan. 



I 



LEADING NEGRO WOMEN. 



FANNIE B. SLAUGHTER. 




Aiiioiii*- the leading iieyro Avoinen 
of \'icksbni-g none are more proni- 
inent than Miss Fannie 13. 
Shui<;htei-, chuii>htei' of ^Ii". and 
.Mis. H. L. Slan,i»hter. Miss 
Shuiiihter was born in Vieksburg, 
Imt when three years old she went 
to (N)h)rado with her god-niother 
and remained there uiitil seven- 
teen years old. While in the West 
^liss Slaughter attended the very 
best schools and as a result of 
close application to her books is 
a highly educated young woman 
and now holds a ])Osition as assistant book-keeper in one of 
the large wholesale firms in Mcksburg, and is the first and 
only colored woman to hold such a ]»osition in this city. 

By reason of her commercial ability and familiarity with 
such work, she is connected in a clerical capacity with sev- 
eral of the leading colored enterprises of the State, being- 
assistant secretary of the Colored State Fair Association, as- 
sistant secretary of the Golden Kule Society and a mend)er of 
the executive board of the ('olored Press Association of Mis- 
sissippi. 

Resides her distinction in the business world. Miss 
Slaughter is very })opular socially, having only recently been 
voted the most }>o])ular young lady in the city. 

She is her father's "right hand bower," assisting him in 
all of his business aff'airs. She has traveled extensively, is 
well read and is a very brilliant conversationalist. 



Dr. Thomas W. Stringer, who taught the colored ])eople 
of Mississippi the great lesson that the man who did not pro- 
vide for those of his own household Avas worse than an in- 
fidel, and who left the Masonic Benefit Association as a mon- 
ument to his memory, lived and died on (Mierry Street, loved 
and honored by thousands. 

43 




CxEORGIA A. PROCTER, M. D. 

FKOrUIETOR I'ROCTER'S I)KU(; STORK. 



GEORGIA A. PROCTER, M.D. 



IT IS only in the j)ast few years that women have l)e<>nu 
to attract attention as pliysicians by the number of tliem 
taking \\\i the practice of medicine. In the State of ^lississippi 
Ihere are very few white women doctors, and Vicksbnr<»- is 
the home of the only colored woman in the state licensed to 
practice this science. Mrs. Georgia A. I'rocter was born at 
BoAvling Green, Ky., in 1872, of well-to-do ]>arents. She com- 
pleted her high school education in her native town and en- 
tered Bereah College, where she remained one year, going from 
there to the State T'niversity, where she remained until the 
death of President Wm. J. Simmons. She then removed to 
Eckstein Norton, where she was employed as assistant in- 
structress. She was married in 18!)2 to Henry M. I'rocter, 
and in 1!)()2 she and her husband completed the medical 
course at Meharry Medical College, at Nashville, Tenn. ^Irs. 
IM-octer also graduated as a trained nurse at the same time. 
The following year she and her husband located in Vicksburg 
and began the practice of their profession and have always 
enjoyed a lucrative practice. Mrs Procter is proprietor of 
Procter's Drugstore, the only business of the kind in the city 
owned and managed exclusively by colored people. They carry 
a complete stock of drugs and chemicals, as well as all the 
leading patent and proprietary medicines and druggists sun- 
dries. 



Among the many noted colored women of Yicksburg none 
stands higher in the hearts of the race than Mrs. Koxena A. 
Jones, widow of the late W. T. Jones. 

Mrs. Jones is the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Court 
of Calanthe of the State of ^Iississi})pi, Governess of Rebecca 
Circle United Woodmen, and high official in such noted orders 
as the Eastern Star, Knights and Ladies of Honor and the 
Race Pride. She bears the distinction of having been one of 
the first ladies promoted to the i-anks of bank directors.. She 
is a thorough business woman, minus the mannish style of 
business women. ^Irs. Jones owns a nice residence on Crayton 
Street and not a few cottages for rental ])urposes. She is 
a" conspicuous figure in all the Grand Lodges to which negro 
women attend, and is given an imi)orfant jdace on all com- 
mittees. 

4.'i 



MRS. LUCY JEFFERSON. 



Mrs. I^ncy Jettei-8on was born in 
Jackson, Miss., 1807, but the 
greater part of her life has been 
spent in Vicksburg, where her 
]»arents reside She attended the 
city jtnblic schools and accpiired 
the honor of being the leader of 
her class. She is known as a great 
chnrch and society worker in this 
city and possesses those qual- 
ities which make up true woman- 
hood. Mr. Jefferson's success in 
his undertaking establishment is 
largely due to the assistance of 
his wife. She is the president of the Women's Christian 
Union, who are buying a piece of property at Cedar Grove 
to establish an old folks liome and orphanage for her race. 
She is pointed to with jiride as one of the leaders of her race. 
She is a member of twelve secret societies, secretary of the 
Stewardess Board of Bethel Church, of which she is a zealous 
worker. (Irand Treasurer of the National Knights and Ladies 
of Honor, a fraternal societv. 




Miss Maud Gertrude Lovett is a graduate of Straight Uni- 
versity, New Orleans. La., and is an accomjdished musician. 

She is a product of A'icksburg and all \'icksburg negroes 
are }»rond of her. Miss Maude's delight is in the sonatas of 
Bethoven, Wagner and Listz. She is one of nature's noblest 
women and nothing pleases her better than to entei'tain with 
her excellent musi<- her admiring friends. Miss Maud is one 
of (he few coloi-ed girl heiresses of \'i(ksburg. She in- 
herits in her own right the title to several valuable city lots 
and a farm near Mound Bayou, Miss. She is consi)icuous 
in all musical entei'tainments given by her peoi)le in the city 
and is an honoraiy member of ^'icksburg Commandery Xo. 1 
Knights Temjdar and Stringer Lodge F. and A. M. She is 
the idol of the Masonic Fraternitv of ^'icksbura. 




MRS. EDW. P. JONES. 



o 



o 

o 

> 

< 

Q 
> 




NEGRO ENTERPRISES. 



LINCOLN SAVINGS BANK. 

IX the business world of this section no institution stands 
in higher regard than this staunch institution. It was 
founded in 1<S1*2, hirgely as an experiment, for the memories 
of the Freedmen's Savings Bank came like harpies over the 
colored people of this section, notwithstanding the fact that 
the (lovernment Avas back of that institution and it was num- 
aged and controlled by white men. 

The bank's name was changed and its real career entered 
upon Emancipation Day, 19(13. It has known few days 
since that it has not grown. Its tirst statement showed a 




M. Z. M0LL180N, Cashikr Lincoln Savings BANK.^ 

total of resources of less than .f3,500.00 including everything. 
The deposits for any average Monday will e(pial or exceed 
that figure, while its loans now exceed forty thousand dol- 
lars. Its president is W. E. Mollison, whose biography ap- 
l)ears in this volume. He is known all over Mississippi as well 
as most of the Southern States. B. F. Lacey, the First Vice- 
President of the concern, is a suciessful and energetic planter 
and business man. 1'. C. ro]»elain is also a well known and 
])rogressive citizen. Its Cashier, ^I. Z. ^lollison, has grown 
u]t with the bank, having been its bookkeeper and corres- 
])()ndent. She is a graduate of the famous Oberlin ColJege and 
is an ex])ert stenograjdier and very proficient book-keeper. The 
bank's afi'airs have been run by her with great success, the 




b.n 

^ Assr. [A'jHir.R 1/hioiv JAVM05 3'^'^fi 



Dillon 
Second i/icf, - prir,:)!Di^NT 



OFFICERS UNION SAVINGS HANK. 



President's duties requiring that for days in a stretch she is 
the sole authority. That the bank has grown wonderfully since 
she has l>een in control shows the confidence of the public in 
her ability and integrirv". 

Among the directors will be found the names of some of 
our leading citizens and business men. A few of them are 
here given : B. W. Currie. Walter B. Jones. C. B. Minor. Jno. 
W. Harris. W. \V. Manaway. S. H. Highland. Lewis Johnson. 

The bank's capital has been increa.sed lately and it is now 
api»arent that within a short time this bank will be what its 
promoters ho])e and dream : a sure enough great big bank, 
disjjensing thousands of dollars into the channels of trade to 
the hundreds now being put out. 



UXIOX SAVINGS BANK. 

THE UXIOX SAVINGS BANK of Vicksburg. Miss., is an 
institution of which the negroes may justly feel proud. 
It was organized about three year-s ago with the capital of 
the negroes of this community who felt that they could spare 
a few dollars of their earnings to invest in a negro Ijanking 
business venture, and has been supported during that i»eriod 
almost entirely by negro patronage. 

The history of this institution can be told in a few words. 
It was in the main the conception of Dr. C. Henri Woode. a 
prominent physician of Vicksburg. and Mr. T. G. Ewing. Jr.. 
the present cashier. They succeeded in interesting the rep- 
resentative colored people in this effort to the extent that 
sufficient capital was subscribed and paid to enable the pro- 
moters to begin business as soon after the fii'st meeting as 
the charter could be secured. As a reward for this effort to 
promote the organization of the bank. Dr. Woode was made 
Iiresident and served the bank as such until his death. His 
mantle fell sticcessively upon Prof. R. J. Rowan, president of 
Alcorn College and I>r. H. E. Connor, the latter of whom 
honor-s the position of president at this writing. Mr. T. (}. 
Ewing. Jr., a brilliant and aggre-ssive young business man, 
was chosen cashier and has filled this position ever since with 
credit to himself and profit to the bank. Its success is due 
largely to his management. 

The rating of the bank is what reflects credit upon the 
business ability and tact of the race. In a city of less than 
2o.(KMi inhabitants, where five banking institutions with an 
aggregate capital of more than half a million dollars were 



doing business, this infant institution came fortli tliree years 
ago claiming a sliare of tlie i)atronage or the race. Many 
thought at the time that this was a too venturesome venture; 
tliat the odds against its success were too great, but time and 
result have proven the wisdom of tlie enterprise. It has be- 
come the Mecca institution of tlie negroes of this community 
who do financial business. Its standing is known and re- 
spected by the business institutions and business people of 
the opposite race. It is well know^n that its affairs are directed 
by men of honesty and business integrity that its condition 
is entirely solvent; that it throws around the funds of its de- 
positors the greatest possible safeguards. Its accounts and 
funds undergo the regular scrutiny of an auditing committee, 
it carries a reasonable fire and burglar insurance, and has its 
officers under bond commensurate with the holdings of the 
bank. 

The venture has been a success in a business way. Two 
dividends have been declared in its short history and a hand- 
some sum passed to surplus. 

The Union t^avings Bank is an example of what the 
negroes in any community may do if they organize, having for 
their motto : "Business ability and business integrity." 



1 



LINCOLN PARK LAND CO. 

FOUR miles north of the city of Vicksburg, nestling be- 
neath the hills which trembled beneath the heavy guns 
which resisted the siege of one of The most magniticents armies 
of the modern days is beautiful Spout Springs, which for three 
generations has poured forth a stream of the coolest and 
most welcome water that ever came freely forth from hill 
or crag. There is a table land just west of it sloping down to 
the line of the railroad at Avhat is known as Kings. This land 
is as bountifully rich as ever held the fleeting shadow of the 
crow or eagle. This tract of land and the beautiful elevation 
overlooking it seemed designed by nature for a i)leasure re- 
sort. It is amply sui)plied with everydiing that would make 
it an ideal resort. The construction of the street railway by 
Houston Bros, will ]>ut this tract within three or four minutes 
of Yicksburg's city limits. The I>inc<)ln I'ark Land Conijtany 
was chartered to own and put this jtroperty, as well as a num- 
ber of other ])ieces that have belonged lo \A'. 10. ]\Iollison, on 
the market. It is not known >Nlietlier it will be ])]atted or 
not. Mr. Mollisoii li;is re-fused .1^.'),.")0(l for the thirteen acre 



tract and expects to have the Land Company take it in charge 
when the time seems ripe to pnt it and other lands tliat will 
be conveyed to the company. The Land Company's officers are : 
W. E. Mollison, President ; C. B. Minor, Secretary ; T W. Molli- 
son, Vice-President; M. Z. Mollison, Treasurer. Among the 
directors are C. B. Minor, J. Monroe Hnbbard and other well 
known colored citizens. It is reported that the managers have 
arranged that the issue of stock will not exceed ten thousand 
dollars, and that a new feature is that stock certificates will 
be accepted in part payment for building lots in Lincoln Park 
as soon as the leases now on the property shall expire. Shares 
of stock are ten dollars each, and this is a good time to buy. 



VICKSBURG MERCANTILE CO. 

SOME months ago a couple of promoters came through 
Vicksburg and solicited subscriptions to the stock of a 
corporation which was chartered and put into working order. 
A number of our leading colored citizens were interested and 
took part in the organization. It met and elected J. J. Morant 
president, Juo. W. Harris Secretary, H. L. Slaughter, treas- 
urer and John T. Spencer vice-president and all things looked 
hopeful for a prosperous campaign. The corporation elected 
Mr. Jno. Tate business manager and is now in every way in 
shape to enter the business field. The panic of last fall is all 
that prevented the Vicksburg Mercantile Company from en- 
tering a live and active business before August 1st, 1908. 



No mere sketch could give the names of men who have 
been prominent in the public aft'airs of the commonwealth. 

Thomas W. Broadwaters, a little less original but just as 
earnest and aggressive, brought Pythianism to a position of 
great prominence and usefulness. 

W. T. Jones, who founded the order just entering a career 
of usefulness in the fraternal field of insurance, lived to have 
a thousand members march behind his bier, regretting the 
loss of a nmn whose genius had made an institution Avhose 
benificence had made thousands happy. 

Vicksburg has spoken in praise of her colored lawyer, 
whose office and equipment, as well as the questions with 
which he deals, equals those of any lawyer anywhere. He 
is known all over the state as well as the country and his 
works speak for the man. 

53 




INTERIOR UNION GROCERY CO. 



THOMAS DILLON, MANAGER, {fw pa-e 18.) 



tx-'*',,-'"*' 



^I^St ] cS'iz, i a^ ^ ssr I 3^ J 




THE UNION GROCERY CO. 



>npHE UNION GROCERY COMPANY was organized in 1904 
-*- by Thomas Dillon and the business to-day stands as a 
monument to his strict integrity and devotion to business. As- 
sociated with Mr. Dillon are Ed. Williams, president of the 
company ; Wm. Ware, secretary, and Albert Judge and Ferdi- 
nand Sims. 

The company began operations on the 30th day of May, 
1904, with a capital of less than |1,000, and under the careful 
management of Mr. Dillon it has prospered beyond the most 
sanguine expectations of its founders. They now carry a 
stock ai)proximating .f4,000 and run two delivery wagons to 
all parts of the city. 

On April 1."), 1907, the company suffered the loss of their 
entire stock by tire, losing over .f3,000. Phoenix-like, however, 
the very next day the company was doing business, having 
secured temporary quarters. Shortly afterwards they built 
a new and large store building and the business is continuing 
to grow larger day by day. The company enjoys a large 
trade, and caters to the best trade. Their stock is always clean 
and fresh and everything that is good to eat can be secured 
from them. The fresh meat department is under the manage- 
ment of ^Ir. Williams, the president of the c()m])any. Here 
can be had all the choicest native and ^^'estern meats, and 
l)r()duce. 




MX. HERODEN BAPTIvST CHURCH. 



KDW. 1'. .loNlvS. 1'. C. (See PiiKc U. 



THE NEGRO CHURCHES. 



MT. HERODEN BAPTIST CHURCH. 

1\ /r OUXT HERODEX BABTIST CHURCH, organized in 
^^^ the year of 1S<><) by Rev. G. G. Middleton, who after- 
wards became the tir.st clergTnian of tlie Episcopal Church 
South, has ever been known for its worsliip as at variance 
with the hirge majority of negro Baptist Churches. Intelli- 
gence has ever held sway with this congregation. Dr. Middle- 
ton Avas succeeded by the lamented Dr. A. A. Hamilton, who 
served the congregation for fourteen years and the Baptists of 
Mississippi as president for four years. Dr. Hamillon's ad- 
ministration was one of the most successful and he deserves 
much credit for the great number which were added to the 
congregation, many of whom are now the most devout and 
true members of the church. Dr. Hamilton died June 24th, 
11)02, and the present pastor. Rev. Edw. P. Jones, B.S., D.D., 
was immediately called as his successor. Upon liis death bed 
Dr. Hamilton earnestly requested that they should call tliis 
young man to his pulpit. Dr. Jones has served the church as 
best he could. He has succeeded in replacing the old structure 
with a modern and up-to-date building. One of the best 
pipe organs used by any colored church in the South has 
been purchased and is a monument to the devotion of the 
membership of the church for excellent music. Dr. Jones is of 
the opinion that he has an efficient Board of Deacons, viz. : 
Patrick Washington, Steven Tucker, Robert Ellis, John ('amp- 
bell, Matt Campbell, Elijah Bates, I. S. Terrell and Robert 
Crane, who serves as treasurer, and W. P. Thompson is clerk. 
John W. Harris is secretary of the Relief Fund and the follow- 
lowing are the trustees: A. Asberry, William Thomas, James 
Anderson, B. C. McCoy, Walter Pittman, Joshua Black and 
Edward Patterson, 

The Church has also a flourishing Sunday School, over 
which Armstead Asberi-y has been Superintendent for twenty- 
five years and ^Nliss Alice Cam]>bell for about eigliteen years. 

The Church has a memlxn-ship of 500 members and the 
Sunday School about llncc hundred and flftv. 




JACKSON vSTRHKT BAPTIST CHURCH. 

KDWAKI) r. KASTMAN. Skchkiahv. (Sec I'iiKo 11.) 



T 



JACKSON STREET CHURCH. 

BAPTIST. 
HE Jacksou Street Baptist Church, Yicksburg, ]Miss., was 



J- organized in April, 1899, by Rev. A. A. Hamilton and 
others in State Golden Kule Hall with seventy-five members. 
The ehnrch called Kev. A. ]\I. Johnson, D.D., of Port Gibson, 
as [>astor. The congregation bought a lot at a cost of |1,00().00 
on the corner of Second North and Jackson Streets. For two 
years they continued to worship in the State Golden Rule 
Hall. On July 10. 1899, the ground was broke for the build- 
ing of an elaborate brick edifice. This building has a main 
auditorium up stairs that will seat 800 persons. This is a 
model of beauty and is finished in the latest style. The parlor 
(or basement) has a large lecture room, dining room and 
kitchen, together with the young men's gymnasium. This is 
one of the best church buildings, as well as the largest and 
finest (when completed) owned by colored people in the State 
of Mississippi. It was built under the direction of the present 
pastor. Rev. A. M. Johnson, and the Board of Trustees. The 
membership of the Church now numbers about 350 members. 
There is one feature about the erection of this church that 
shows the progress of tlie negro, and that is, all of the work 
was done by negroes. 

The Church numbers among its mend^ership some of the 
most progressive young men and women in the State. Under 
the direction of the Church, they have a model Sunday School, 
a B. Y. P. U. and also a Benevolent Society, which looks after 
the wants of the poor and sick members of the Church. 

The Church, when completed, will have cost about |25,- 
000.00. 



Rev. Kelly Rucks was born a slave and freed at the 
age of fourteen Avithout a home, or respectable chUhes; yea, 
even the necessities of life, he now through (Jod's blessings, 
owns a nice home and other i)roperty valued at over |10,000, 
has an interesting family and enjoys the full confidence and 
respect of every one who knows him. He is a member of I lie 
Board of Directors of Kosciusko Industrial College. He has 
never been a member of anv secret order. 




BETHEL A. M. \i. CHURCH. 



.INO. ,1. MORANT. 1'. ('. (Src piiKi' -1 



BETHEL A. M. E. CHURCH. 



BETHEL A. M. E. (^HUR('H was oi-oiiiiizod in 1S()4 by 
Rev. Page Tyler. Bishop J. P. Cainiibell was the first 
Bishop of the A. M. E. Church, wlio visited this ehurcli and 
organized the first annual cont'erenee. The present site and 
building was formerly owned by the First Presbyterian Chureh 
(white) of this city 

Many have been the hardships of Bethel congregation and 
great has been its struggles, but in all of it the^^ have been 
more than conquerers ; and to-day ''Bethel" is one among the 
leading churches of the great A. ^I. E. connection. She has 
an enrollment of nearly seven hundred members and property 
valued at |25,()00. 

The following are some of the illustrious ministers who 
have served the church as pastors: Page Tyler, Hiram Bevels, 
Dr. Cooper, T. W. Stringer, Brother Allen, Brother Brown, J. 
C. Embry, Adam Jackson, J. I. Lowe, F. Carolina, C. H. 
Thomas, H. B. Parks, W. T. Anderson, O. P. Ross, A. J. 
Russel, P. W. Mills, (;. W. Porter and Jno. J. Morant. 

Bethel Church is an old landmark of African Methodism 
and a citadel for the faith that has been delivered to the 
saints. The congregation is proud of her work in past days 
and is now turning its attention to the future and to greater 
achievements. In a few years, D.V., a new structure will hallow 
this sacred spot. Bethel has done much in the way of moulding 
public sentiment, and stands to-day, as it has always stood, 
for the Fatherhood of God, and the I^rothei-hood of ^Tan Her 
I)astors in the main have never been recreant to duty, and have 
always been found to the front in all emergencies that sav- 
ored detriment to the people — and especially to the race. Her 
members are made up of a class of Yicksburg's best citizenry, 
and they live and ]»reach "peace on earth and good will to 
all.'' Her pulpit is a veritable "watch tower" and will always 
seek to be on the side of right, the majoi-ily on the wrong- 
notwithstanding. She has done untold good in bringing about 
amicable relations between the two races, which is e\idenc('(l 
by the good feeling that exists toward her by a wliilc neigh- 
borhood that surrounds her. 



Rev. K. 1*. Jones conducts a Avell e(|uipped piinling estab- 
lishment. 

61 




HOLLY GROVE BAPTLST CHURCH. 



KKLLY RUCKS, P. C. (See page Hi.) 



HOLLY GROVE CHURCH. 

BAPTIST. 



HOLLY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH was orgaiiizod and 
foiiiuled by Rev. Mose Bell, shortly after the capitn- 
hition of Vicksbiirg iu 18()3. Rev. Bell preached to his 
congregation about one year under an improvised slied. and 
Avhen the chnrcli was tlnis established, the congregation de- 
cided to bnild a church. Rev. Bell was gathered to his Fathers 
before the completion of the church, and was succeeded by 
Rev. Lee Davis, who remained until his death, four or five 
years afterwards. He was succeeded by Rev. Sterling Stiles, 
who remained only a short time, and was succeeded by the 
Rev. Kelly Rucks in 187(). Rev. Rucks found the church 
greatly disorganized and its erstwhile influence and standing 
greatly crippled. He gathered around him a few of the more 
devout members and proceeded to bring order out of chaos, 
and in a short time the church again took position among the 
leading churches. When the church was originally built, it 
was erected on rented ground, and after Rev. Rucks came to 
the church he bought a site and built a new church, at a cost 
of |1,()5(). In 1!)07 it became neceifsary to tear down and 
rebuild, and the present building was completed in November, 
1907, at a cost of about |2,()00. The congregation numbers 
about 225 devout mend»ers, and since Rev. Rucks has been its 
pastor there has never been a day of dissension among its 
members. The entire membership work in harmony, and go 
in more for pure religious worship and the good they can do, 
than for style and show. Rev. Rucks has only two and)itions. 
One is to be a good husband and father and the other to be 
a good minister for God, and there are any number of phys- 
ical evidences that his ambition in this respect is being ful- 
filled. He believes that the biblical injunction that ''Take heed 
unto thyself, and unto the doctrines; continue in them; for 
in doing this thou slialt save thyself and them that hear thee 
* * * But if any provide not for his own, and specially 
for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is 
worse than an infidel.'' 

When Vicksburg cajdtulated Rev. Kelly Rucks was a four- 
teen year old slave. He is now worth -fKKOOO, and, a yet 
greater asset, he is trusted and respected by bolh whiles and 
blacks. 

03 




( lloll; AND ( UANCEL, -ST. MARY'S CHURCH, (i-ue page 17.) 




ST. MAKV'S SCHOOL AND I'AKISH HoCSE. ( S,i. piifjc TJ. ) 



ST. MARYS CHURCH. 

EPISCOPAL. 



ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Yieksbiirg, Miss., was 
established diiriug the year 18S5. The three men who 
did more than any other in establishing the Chnrch were the 
Rt. Rev. H. M. Thompson, the Rev. Henry Samson and Mr. 
R. R. Harrison. Bishop Thompson did not receive very much 
enconrageinent from the majority of his people in what some 
of them called his "pet scheme."' St. Mary's Church was the 
first Protestant Episcopal Church organized among the col- 
ored people of this section of the country. This church stands 
for an intelligent, refined and dignified mode of worship. Its 
ideals of Christianity are b}' some of the people misunderstood, 
misrepresented and consequently severely and adversely criti- 
cised. A church is not to be blamed if its ideals are in ad- 
vance of the majority of the people she tries to reach. Her 
duty is to minister faithfully to those who can appreciate and 
^ill accept what she has to offer. The church is growing on 
the people of Yicksburg, and as they know her better, she re- 
ceives thankfully the sympathy and help of a great many of 
all classes of the citizens. St. ]Mary's Church was the first 
church in Yicksburg to organize the vested choir. Since its 
organization, it has had eight ministers, two white and six 
colored. The Rev. Dr. Middleton, now in charge, is the eighth. 
He has been there since 1900. Since his coming to the church 
very little remains of the old equipment except the floor, the 
walls and the ceiling. The pipe organ, as large and sweet- 
toned as any in Yicksburg, the pews, the carpet, the bap- 
tismal fount, sanctuary lamj) and altar furniture have been 
j)laced in the church during his incumbency. However, these 
things would count for very little if they were all the church 
stood for. The minister tries to get his people to realize that 
it is the church's duty to do some real and tangible good for 
the people of the community; that its influenc(^ ought to be 
felt in the moral, spiritual, and, indirectly, in the social life 
of all the people. No church has any other excuse for existing. 



W. E. ]Mollison is known as a writer and sj)eakei' of 
ability and is recognized as one of the leaders of the people in 
America. 

5 65 




KING vSOLOMON BAPTIST CHURCH. 

J. H. C. HENRY, r. C. (Seo page •-'•■..) 



KING SOLOMON CHURCH. 

BAPTIST. 



A MEETING of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Association, 
doniieiled in Vieksburg, Mississippi, was held in their 
one-storv frame edifice on the site of the jtresent church, No- 
vember 17th, 18()6. After devotional exercises were had, a 
notice was read, authorizing the call of the council. The fol- 
lowing ordained elders were present: Revs. Handle Pollard, 
Marion Dunbar, William Tensly, Marcus Bryan, Joseph Smoth- 
ers, L. Woods and Ivorv Williams. 

Rev. Randle I'ollard was chosen moderator of the council. 
Rev. Ivory Williams Clerk. The Moderator stated that the 
object of the council was to establish an independent and reg- 
ular organized Church of the Baptist denomination at Vieks- 
burg, Miss. The following resolutions were read: 

"■Be it resolved, that Mt. Pleasant Baptist Association be 
known hereafter as the Mount Pleasant Church of Vieksburg, 
Miss." These resolutions were received and adoj)ted, after 
which the council adjourned. 

The Church, at the time of its organization, was without 
a regular pastor. During the latter part of 1804: and ISdf) 
spiritual help had been given by local preachers. Among the 
most prominent of these were Rev. Jim Middleton, Rev. Hodge 
and Chaplain Edwards (white) of the lOth Regiment of the 
U. S. Army. He assisted the church in securing the lot upon 
which their one-story fran)e building stood. He labored Avith 
them for several years after the organization of the church. 
By the consent of the church at a regular meeting, he changed 
the name of the church, ]\rarch 22, 18()1) from ^It. Pleasant to 
that of King Solomon Bajttist Church. He was an earnest 
worker for the upbuilding of the church, and he was greatly 
esteemed by them. He, however, left the State in the latter 
part of 1869. After his departure the church called Rev. G. 
G. Middletton to its pastorate and afterwards ordained him 
for the Avork in 1870. During his administration the mem- 
bership of the church increased to upward of seven hundred 
regular attendants. In 1874 he resigned his otTice to take 
charge of Mount Heroden Baptist Church. lOarly in the year 
1875 the church elected Rev. Jefferson Tliomjison ])astor to 
succeed Rev. G. G. ^liddleton. H<* labored until the sum- 
mer of 1878, when he fell a victim to vellow fever, and at his 



own request, his remains were buried at the southeast corner 
of the church, where they repose until this day. Eev. G. P. 
Jones was elected pastor to succeed Rev. Jefferson Thompson 
late in the year 1878. His administration began under the 
most extraordinary circumstances. He found an empty treas- 
ury, the church half finished, notes on contracts maturing, 
besides an oversight of the spiritual condition of his Hock. 
He sold one of the church lots to the Drayman's Aid Society 
for |«30() and completed the church, bought new pews which 
are now in use; dedicated the church to the service of God 
in 1880 and paid off all the indebtedness left by his predecessor. 
He established our first church choir, bought an organ and 
added many other progressive improvements to the credit of 
the church and the denomination. He labored on for the good 
of the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ until his i^hysical body 
gave way to disease and died in 1883. He was succeeded in 
1884 by Rev. Marion Griffin, who served for thirteen years. 
He found the church in the zenith of her glory. During 
his administration many converts were added to the church. 
At the close of the thirteen years he was stricken with con- 
sumption and after lingering several mouths, the destroying 
angel came for the third visit to take the ruler oft" the throne, 
and he was buried beside his predecessor. Rev. M. Charles 
succeeded Rev. Marion Griffin in 1896. His career was ended 
on January 22, 1900. His remains were shipped to Mont- 
gomery, Ala., their last resting place. 

Rev. J. H. C. Henry was elected pastor to succeed Rev. 
Marion Charles, Sept. 24, 1900. He accepted the call, Sept. 
28, 1!)00. He found the church in a feeble condition — the joy 
of old was to be restored, the waste places to be made to 
flourish as before, the spiritual growth of the church to be 
re-established. Whether he has succeeded in the arduous work 
before him, we leave that to the future generations to pass 
judgment upon. His career as pastor and leader, during his 
administration, the church has increased her membership up- 
wards of five hundred. In 1901 he built a hall for the church, 
to be used for suppers, concerts, etc., at a cost of |440.00, and 
remodeled tiie church, including fixtures and furnitur(^ at a 
<-ost of |.~),2.")T.2.~). -Jesse W. A\'illiams has served as clerk of 
the cliurcli since 1898. He lias been a member of the I'.oard 
of Trustees since 1!M)4. 



The Vicksburg Light is the leading negro news[»aper of 
Vicksburg. It is owned and edited by W. 11. Rogers. 

6H 



THE NEGRO SCHOOLS. 



CHERRY STREET HIGH SCHOOL. 

SOME little time after the civil war, there being little or 
no educational facilities opened to the colored people of 
the South, the most noteworthy Presbyterian Church organ- 
ized in this city what was known as the U. P. ^lission on North 
Cherry Street, where now is located the present Cherry Street 
School, a part of which was purchased Oct. 28. 1872, and the 
other part on Dec. (>, 188(1. 

It was conducted as a mission school for several years, 
even into the early seventies, drawing of course its support 
from the church which organized it. 

That the educational work done by this God-sent organi- 
zation was well done, is evidenced by some of tlie students 
who have taken and yet maintain high standing as Avorthy cit- 
izens of this very historic and progressive city. Among those 
Avorthy of mention are Mrs. A. A. McCalloway, Mrs. M. A. 
liell, Hon. W. E. ^lollison, Prof. A. S. Barnes and others who 
might be named. 

There is a tide, though slightly noticed by the wise, and 
entirely unnoticed by the unwise, which carries man on to 
meet ucav conditions, higher planes and ideals, questions of 
greater moment, more difficult of solution, yet must be solved, 
more tasteful appreciation of the beautiful ; the tide of time, 
Avhich correctly solves all (juestions, wise and unAvise — the 
test of all human effort. 

Time brought a change. The people thought of ]»ublic edu- 
cation and reasoned on higher things Avliich smacked of more 
equitable justice towards the tattered and uncultured. 

The }>roi»<)siiion to sell and buy Avas agreed to, Avhich 
caused a cessation of the U. P. ^lission and the Cherry Street 
Public School came into existence, draAving on the city treasui-y 
for support. 

The first ])riiici]»al, a Mr. Sullivan, (Avhite) Avas from 
Dublin, Ireland. Next in order canie ^Irs. I. I). Shad (col- 
ored) ; then Mrs. Anna Watkins, now Mrs. McCalloAvay; then 
Messrs. Barnes, Reynolds, Shannon and ]McIntyi-e, the jtresent 
incumbent, Avho has served for the ])ast five y(^•lrs. 



.1. Monroe Hubbard is a po]>uhir China Street barber, 




CHEKKY STREET SCHOOL. 




%. 







T'"^'^^^ 



.MAOXOLIA AVEXl'E SCHOOL. 



MAGNOLIA AVE. SCHOOL. 



WHAT is now Magnolia Sc-liool was begun as a result of 
an ovei'rtow of attendance at ("lien-y Street School. 
About lifteeu years ago Cherry Street School, which Avas then 
the only public school for negro children in Vicksburg, became 
so congested that the P.oard of Education felt called u})on to 
provide other accommodations for the excess of attendance, 
and for those who had been refused permission to enter. Ac- 
cordingly, they rented the Golden Rule Hall on Clay Street 
and employed several teachers under the supervision of the 
principal of the Cherry Street School, to teach those who by 
force of circumstances were compelled to enter this jilace. 
This incipient institution became known as Clay Street School 
and continued for four years in this relation to Cherry Street 
School. At the end of this time the increased importance of 
the school made it necessary that a su])ervisor be placed in 
the building, and so the board elected a principal whose duty 
it was to supervise this work, and thus organized it into a 
separate and distinct school. From this time forward the 
school began to grow. Its faculty of four teachers was in- 
creased with the increasing demand to five and then to six. 

Finally the Board of Education decided that a building 
was necessary. A committee from this body selected a lot 
situated in the center of negro ])Opulation of this city and 
recommended its purchase and the erection thereon of a six 
room school house, to the city council. This recommendation 
was acted upon and in January, 1902, the six teachers and 
pupils of Clay Street Schools were installed in their new 
quarters on Magnolia Avenue. Subsequently three rooms and 
as many teachers were added to the school to accommodate 
the increasing attendance. The school has now a princi])al 
and eight teachers; an enrollment of 5S1 i>upils. .\mong the 
furniture of this school is to be found an organ, a book case 
containing about 400 books and pictures which are copies of 
the master artists of the world. There are many other fur- 
nishings and apparatus of an educative character which have 
beeii added by i)Opular subscri]>tion to the school. 



Prof. G. M. IMcTntyre, ]irinci]>al of Cherry Street High 
School, has been at the head of that institution tor five years, 
and the school has never enjoyed greatei- ]>r<)sperity. 

71 



ST. MARY'S PARISH SCHOOL. 



THE writer believes that he is simply stating a fact when 
he says that the Episcopal Church, generally speaking, 
does not appeal to the absolute unlettered person. A greater or 
less degree of education is really necessary to a just apprecia- 
tion of her service and mode of worship even. The church 
and school are usually found side by side, or the one is very 
soon followed by the other. 

St. Mary's Parish School was opened in 1900 when the 
Rev. A. A. Roberts was rector. The school was taught in the 
church building; it was afterwards moved to the old Benev- 
olent Hall just across the street, and later to a hall on First 
North Street, between Main and First East. In neither of 
these places were conditions favorable, as the teachers had only 
one room in which to do their work. Conditions are very 
much better now. Through the untiring efforts of Bishop 
Bratton, the school now owns a large two-story building con- 
taining eight rooms, which is used as a school and parish 
house. The accompanying cut does not represent the spacious 
grounds, almost a half block, nor the teachers cottage that 
fronts Main Street. 

The school admits children from any or no denomination 
who will be obedient and teachable. Like the public schools, 
it has been patronized by some of the best and some of the 
worst families in Vicksburg. It is a fact that some of the 
young people who have gone from this school to the Univer- 
sities of this and other States, have kept their places in the 
grades they left in our school. 

We have three lady teachers, with Mrs. A. A. McCalloway 
as principal and Miss M. L. Harrison and Miss A. B. Coates 
assistants. Mrs. McCalloway was for some time principal 
of the ]»ublic school and is known to be thoroughly capable. 
The school has a hundred and fifty or more i)U|)jls. The girls 
are taught sewing and the boys are taught to make themselves 
handy about the grounds. We hope in time to have a board- 
ing school with other industries for the bovs and girls. 



J no T. Spencer is Supreme Treasurer of the Knights of 
Honor of the World. 

You should join the Knights of Canaan. 



LODCxES AND SOCIETIES. 



T 



GRAND LODGE F. & A. M. 

HE :\I()ST WORSHIPFUL STRINGER GRAND LODGE 
-L Avas organized in the eitv of Yicksburg, Miss., July 3rd, 
1S7(). The first Grand ^Master was Dr. Thomas W. Stringer, 
through whose efforts Masonry was introduced into the State 
to negroes in 1867. The Fraternal Life Insurance lienefit was 
created by the M. ^^^ Stringer Grand Lodge, which pays a 
death benefit of |700 to its beneficiaries. The Grand Lodge 
has a membership of nearly 14,000 members and owns timber 
lands along the line of the Y. & M. V. R. R. of 1,000 acres 
for which they have refused an offer of |15.00 per acre for 
the timber alone. They paid to widows and orphans in 1907 
1110,000. 

The present Grand Master is Dr. E. W. Lam])ton, of 
Greenville, Miss., who is serving his fourteenth year as Grand 
Master. Under the direction of this financier and matchless 
leader the Stringer Grand Lodge is easily the most foremost 
Grand Lodge in the world operated by negroes. The annual 
communication is looked forward to with much pleasure by 
the craftsmen. Instead of ancient stove-pipe hats and short- 
tailed coats. Dr. Lampton's representatives, who are medical 
doctors, lawyers, professors, merchants, preachers, brick-layers, 
etc., appear in Prince Albert coats and latest style silk hats. 
The greatest desire of Dr. Lampton is to advance the interests 
of the craftsmen generally, and the young men among them 
especially. He is the idol of his fellows. A large percentage 
of the lodges own their own halls, etc., a movement advanced 
and personally looked into by the Grand INIaster. 

The negro Free Masons stand head and shoulders above all 
other fraternal organizations in the state. 



INDEPENDENT ORDER ODD FELLOWS. 

VICKSBURG is the liome of the Grand Lodg(\ Tnde])eudent 
Order of Odd T'ellows. The Odd Fellows is one of the 
oldest colored lodges in the state and also the wealtliiest. In 
the city of Yicksburg there are twelve subordinate lodges, four 
Households of Ruth and two Patriarch Councils. 

Edw. J'. -loiK^s is (Jraiid .Master of the (irand Lodue. 



THE COLORED WOODMEN. 

THE colored i>eo|)le have so many fraternal orders with 
high sonnding names, and so many of them have lived 
their brief hour and disappeared or died, that the pnblic has 
tired of learning new names and titles, A few have survived 
the period of infancy; some have dragged out a miserable 
existence and some have died of starvation. 

No institution is any stronger than its membership and 
the integrity of its oflBcers, No fraternal order can boast of any 
millions of assets. It must have the determined effort of the 
members of the order to continue the good work, and the 
energy, intelligence and integrity of its officers to wisely direct 
and honestly manage the affairs of the order. 

The Colored Woodmen was born less than three years ago. 
It had a large and powerful body of persons well directed 
who imagined themselves injured by its existence and pros- 
perity. The public was told that it had no charter and when 
that was shown to be false, they fell back on the charge that 
it was not licensed ; then that it was not paying enough ben- 
efits. Its splendid record has contradicted all these slanders. 
The shafts and arrows of malice have fallen harmless at its 
feet. It is the young giant among the fraternities. In its 
Supreme and Grand Encampments will be found the flower of 
the youth and vigor as well as the intelligence and character 
of the colored people of Mississip])i. It has no a])ology to 
make for its being. Its success and good works are sufficient 
answer to the slanderous tongue and the records of fraternal 
orders will l)e s(^ai'ched in vain for one which has ]>assed the 
five hundred dollar mark of death payment within two years 
after the grant of the first license. 

This Order has had a i)henoinenal growth. It started in 
November. !!)().") with practically no membership. It was char- 
tered and licensed and commenced business January, l!l()(>. It 
is now licensed and authorized, under a ten thousand dollar 
bond to do business in the State of Arkansas, where it has 
nearly twenty-five working Camits and Circles. It is author- 
ized and is woi-king in the State of Alabama. Avhere it has 
four hundred and fifty members in good standing. In ^lis- 
sissi])]n it has nearly one hundred and fifty ('am]»s and Cir- 
cles. The payment of death benefits now reaches the princely 
sum of |(i(M).(l(l. It has collected no assessement in excess of 
7") cents in any one month. Its i)romises are as good in the 
market as gold bonds, its otticers are all under bond; are 
all new men; are fi-esli from the peojile. and are vigorous in 



tlie proyeention of the work. It lias no lai-fje inimber of old 
iiieiiibers ; its growth is from the growing and vigorous oak 
and cypress and cedar. It is destined to a great and pros- 
perous future. 

The Supreme Governor is W. E. ^lollison, l*resident of the 
Lincoln Savings liank. and an active practicing attorney at 
Vicksburg. He has just been honored by election as Delegate 
from the State at large to the Chicago National l\e])ublican 
Convention. The comjtlimentary notices in the jtress about his 
election show the high regard of the i)eoi»le of Mississippi for 
him. The Supreme Banker is Benjamin F. Lacey, of Shiloh. 
Mississip})!, a ])lanter of large means and influence. He is 
Grand Senior ^^'arden of the ^lasons of Mississippi, which in 
itself is an assurance of his ]»oi)ularity and ability. The Su- 
preme Secretary is Miss M. E. (Tunstall) Ingram, of the town 
of Byhalia. She has recently completed a course of shorthand 
and typewriting at Rust University and is thoroughly fitted 
for the work before her. She has the regard and esteem of 
all the people in her section of the State. She makes a model. 

The State of Mississippi is under the immediate jurisdic- 
tion of J. E. Walker, Grand Governor, a man of large i)rop- 
erty holding in the town of Gunnison, Mississi]»pi, a prac- 
ticing lawyer, and an ardent and enthusiastic worker in wood- 
craft. Its Grand Banker is W. M. Foote, who is known as 
the watch dog of the Treasury. He lives at New Albany, 
and his bond is signed by all the leading bankers and mer- 
chants of the town. The Grand Secretary is R. M. Boyce, of 
Byhalia, whose ability and integrity won for him a reputa- 
tion under the former management of the Woodmen. S. Wat- 
son, A. B. Andrews, It. A. Armstrong, W. G. Johnson, Wm. 
Atkinson, G. L. Yates and G. I*. Gordon are some of the men 
who have contributed to the great success of this giant young 
order. They are the oaks, cedar:< and cypresses upon which 
the structure of woodcraft rests in Mississi]»pi. 

The Su})reme Officers are: W. E. Mollison, Supreme Gov- 
ernor, Vicksburg, Miss. ; B. F. Lacey, Supreme Banker, Shiloh, 
Miss.; M. E. (Tunstall) Ingram, Holly S])rings, Miss.; W. 
C Atkinson. Sui)i-eiiie Oi-ator, GoHeevilie, Miss. 

The (iiand Officers are: J. K. Walker, (Jrand Governor; 
Gunnison, Miss.; R. M. Boyce, (Jrand Secretary, Byhalia, 
^liss., Wm. M. Foote, (Jrand P»anker, New Albany, ^Nliss. ; S. 
Watson, (Jrand Lecturer, New Albanv, Miss. 



You should join (he Colored Woodmen. 



STATE GOLDEN RULE vSOClETY. 

AMONG the many Societies wliicli liave done and are still 
doing a great work for the unfortnnates of its nieinber- 
shi}) may be mentioned the t^^tate Golden Rnle Society. Its 
charities have not been confined to its mend)ership, bnt to the 
deserving withont restriction. 

The Society was organized in the early seventies by Rev. 
Chas. H. Smith, a man of much influence among his people, 
and its growth in a short time was Avonderfnl. Its members 
took a leading part in The yellow fever fight of '78, being 
identified with the Howard Association, and did much to re- 
lieve suffering humanity. 

In 1882 the State Golden Rule Society was chartered by a 
sjjecial act of the Legislature. J)uring its existence it has 
distributed upwards of fifty thousand dollars in sick benefits 
and other chanties, and has given decent burial to more than 
one hundred of its dead. 

Under the leadership of H. L. Slaughter, which covers a 
period of twenty-two years, it has been identified with every 
movement looking to the betterment of it members in par- 
ticular and the negro race generally. 

The State Golden Rule Society teaches, as a part of its 
obligations, respect for the hnv of the land, and that it is a 
crime to protect a criminal. 

During the overHow of 18!)T it thi-ew oi»en its headquarters 
to those who had not food or shelter and also contributed 
liberally to the fund raised in their behalf. 

Lodge No. 1 owns valuable ])roperty in the city and is a 
large holder of stock in several enterj»rises. 

So well has the State Golden Rule Society succeeded, that 
in 1S!)S it voted to extend its field of usefulness, and accord- 
ingly an endowment de]»artnient was established and the So- 
ciety extended to other towns. They have at this time forty 
lodges in Mississijijii with a large niend)ership. 

The dealings of the Society have been strictly upon the 
principle of the (Jolden Rule. No high-sounding i)r()niises are 
made to catch the unthinking, the jterformance of which would 
be im])()ssible. On the other hand tlie Society ]»romises to 
conduct its affairs in a business-like way at the smallest cost 
jM'r capita of jierhaps any SocictN in the South. 

H. L. Slaughter is Snitrenic President, an<l IM'of. J. F. 
(Jayden, of Kculah, is Sujn-enie Secretary-Treasurei*. 

The Stale Golden Rule Society is licejisfMl under the sujter- 



vision of the State Insui-aiice I)ei>ai-tment, and stands well 
with tlie Department. 

The Snprenie Presiik'nt has )»een a citizen of Yicksburg 
for many yeai-s, and has earned an excellent repntation for 
reliability and integrity, and possesses the esteem of the people 
of both races. 



KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAvS. 

VICKSBURG is the birth-place of the Order of Colored 
Knights of Pythias of Mississippi. It was organized 
April 17th, 1880, by Thomas W. Stringer, T. M. Broadwater, 
E. A. Lightfoot, A. S. l^arnes and others. 

Like many fraternal orders, it suffered many obstacles 
before it had a financial footing. The founders of this order 
never dreamed when they launched it under such adverse cir- 
cumstances, it would ever rise to such ])rominence in the 
world that it has. It drifted with the "tide'' with a few- 
lodges, here and there, for several years. New life was injected 
into the order in 1899, when that untiring leader. Major W. T. 
Jones, became Grand Chancellor by reason of the death of 
Hon. G. F. Bolds, then the Grand Chancellor of the order. 
Under his administration the order progressed as never be- 
fore. When he entered upon his duty as Grand Chancellor, 
his native city, Yicksburg, had four subordinate lodges. At 
present it has fifteen financial lodges whose postoftice is Yicks- 
burg. Of the ninety -eight thousand dollars paid into the En- 
dowment Department annually, the lodges at Yicksburg and 
its vicinity i)ay 25 per cent. Yicksburg and its vicinity have 
thirty-three financial lodges. Their names are as follows: 

Pride of the West No. 33— J. A. Freeman, C. C. 

Progress No 35 — A. J. Lindsey, C. C. 

Belmont No. 51— John Whitney, C. C. 

Golden Leaf No. 100— F. S. :M()rris. C. C. 

AVillow Glenn No 112— A. R. Davis, C. C. 

Bright Crown No. 116— R. D. Dewberry, C. C . 

Pride of the South No. 117— G. Brown,^C. C. 

Signal No. 124— Jerry Carter, C. C. 

Magnolia No. 126— S. G. Johnson, C. C. 

I'ride of the East No. 133— J. B. Robinson, C. C. 

Forest Home No. 136 — Geo. Jinkins, C. C. 

Golden Grain No. 170 — B. G. Yernon, C. (.'. 

Golden (Jem No. 181 — E. G. Flowers, C. C. 

Southern lieautv No. 192 — J. J. Price, C. C. 



Mornin<i Star No. 221 — Win. Jolinson, C. C. 

Golden Crown No. 245— W. I'. I?ortei% C. C. 

Silver Moon No. 247 — Monroe Pilort, C. C. 

Center Beauty No. 252— W. S. Hargrove, C. C. 

Valley I'ark No. 278— J. W. Young, C. C. 

Mt. ()live No. 280— H. R. Burns, (\ C. 

Hickory Tree No. 319— Wni. Walker, C. C. 

American Beauty No. 320 — Boss Eastman, 0. C. 

C. Henry Woode No. 363 — Simon Nathan, C. C. 

Huntsville No. 371— J. C. Tate, (\ C 

T. W. Stringer No. 103 — Louis Jinkins, C. 0. 

T^nion Square No. 415 — Juo. M. Williams, C. C. 

Chickasaw No. 435— C. R. Custard, C. C. 

Mount A'ernon No. 438 — Jesse Drayton. C. C. 

Greenwood No. 441 — E. C. Brown, C. C. 

J. C. Ross No. 471— J. W. Seals, C. C. 

Silver Leaf No. 475— L. A. Hindricks, C. C. 

Sir A. J. Lindsey, C. C. of Pride of I'rogress Lodge No. 35; 
Secretary of Grand Trustee Board and City Deputy. 

Sir J. W. English, C. C. of Bride of Onward Lodge No. 23 
and a member of the Grand Trustee Board. 

Sir 1*. C. Downs. Grand Lecturer. 

Sir S. H. Highland, G. K. of R. & S. 

Sir L. D. Hendricks, D. D. G. C. of the Northern Division 
of Warren County. 

J. M. Head and G. Brown, D. D. G. C. of the Southern 
Division. 

Hs management is in the hands of a good and efficient 
cori)s of bonded officials, which insures the safety of all its 
members. 



KNIGHTS OF CANAAN. 

THE Order of the Knights of Canaan was founded by 
Prof. Wm. H. Spriggs, a native of Warren ("ounty. .Miss. 
The Order was organized under great difficulties, having as 
a neuclus only about half a dozen jkm-sous, and these at times 
were ready to faint and fall by the way. On June 22, 1883, a 
Charter of Incorporation was ai>i)lied for and obtained and 
after that time W. 11. Spriggs, in person and at a great sacri- 
fice <»r time and money, traveled over four States, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, Texas and Alabama, lecturing and rei)resenting 
the cause of Canaan. To him the cost of establishing the 
Order of the Knights of Canaan was great in every way. It 



cost him the accniiinhition of inaiiv veai's of toil. From a 
tinaiK'ial viewpoint it cost liiiii his baiikiiiy account of .ft, 000. 00. 
But beiug the undauuted leader that he is. he did not give up 
the struggle until the Canaan banner floated in the breeze 
over the hund)le cabins of the dwellers in four states. The 
founder of the Order not only intended that the Knights of 
Canaan should be what any other secret organization is, but 
more; and in carrying out this idea, he has been called the 
''record-breaker," and so he is, for while other fraternal or- 
ganizations look only after the sick and dead, the Canaans 
in addition to this pays its members for living. Its member- 
sliip is made up of all classes and professions: Lawyers, 
Doctors, Preachers, Teachers and Farmers, aggregating in 
numbers many thousands. As a charitable institution it has 
but few equals. It does not content itself with giving its 
members their weekly sick benefits, but goes farther and fur- 
nishes them medicine and pays their physician's bill, aids its 
members when in distress, helps to secure them employment 
and helps them in all possible ways. One of the prime objects 
of the Order is to inculcate and propagate the teachings of 
Christ and to promote peace, good-will, benevolence and charity 
among its members; to help the sick and feed the hungry, 
and to do all such works of kindness and humanity as will 
develop among its members a proper appreciation of the prin- 
ciples of the Christian religion The Knights of Canaan takes 
rank easy as one of the greatest negro organizations in Amer- 
ica. It redeems all of its pledges, both with the states and the 
people. Many a widow and orphan has been saved from 
destitution by the benevolent hand of the Knights of Canaan. 
And men and woman of color throughout this broad land are 
singing its praises. 



THE KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR 
OF AMERICA. 

WAS organized July, 11)07, its founders being 1*>. C. AVrnon 
and K. B. Johnson. During its short period of existence 
it has made wonderful ])i'ogress and now numbers one hundred 
and fifty subordinale lodges and over four thousand menil>ers. 
Since its organization it has ]>aid out over .f;i,000. 

The object of this order is to relieve the distress of widows 
and orphans. The as])iration of the order is for the ameliora- 
tion of humanity; for drawing men together by the gentle 

79 



cords of love and mutual sympathy; for imitiug them niioii 
one common platform; for enlisting- them in one common 
cause against one common enemy; honesty, love and truth, its 
paramount idea — this comprehends the elevation of man in 
the moral, social and intellectual scale. Veneration for pure 
religion; a just deference for laAV and order; the, promotion 
of free education; general moral culture; the suppression of 
vice, and the earnest advocacy of such relation as tend to 
aAvaken the sympathy and generous feeling. Its desires in 
membership only those of good moral character who are will- 
ing to subscribe unreservedly to a submission to its laws 
and usages and pledge fidelity to its principles. It will give 
them Avork to do, for so long as there are sorrows to soothe, 
bleeding heart-strings to tie up, desolate widows to help and 
cheer, orphan children to feed and educate; until there are no 
more cesspools of slander and calumny to mildew a fair repu- 
tation or destroy a priceless character; until all men shall be 
fraternal and tolerant, will it find labor to be done. Its 
divine mission is to hasten the period when man shall hail 
his brother man with fraternal greetings; when wickedness 
and falsehood shall be drawn from the earth and the race of 
Adam form a universal family, acknoAvledging the Ood of the 
universe as their father and every child of man as a brother; 
when, in short, one law shall bind all nations, races and 
tongues of the earth and that law the law of universal broth- 
erhood. Thus will it strive until the shout of the archangel 
and the trumphet of God shall announce the end of time and 
the great clock of nature shall i)eal out its last note on the stag- 
nant air, its wasted machinery run down and its sluggish 
pendulum stand still. 



Vicksburg is soon to have a bottling works owned and 
manaued bv negroes. 



MISSISSIPPI PRINTING CO , VICKSBURG. 




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